Agartala, 31st August 2026 : Nearly a decade after a rape case involving a minor girl was registered at Manu Police Station, the Special POCSO Court in Ambassa has convicted the main accused, Bijoy Ghosh, and sentenced him to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The case dates back to April 10, 2016, when a complaint was filed alleging that a 15-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by four persons. The accused named in the complaint were Vijay Ghosh, Rohit Chakma, Mangal Debbarma and Shubham Chakma.
Manu Police Station promptly registered an FIR under case number 2016 MNU 011 and initiated an investigation. The probe was subsequently handed over to Female Sub-Inspector Seema Das Chowdhury, who completed the investigation and submitted the charge sheet before the Special Judge’s Court at Ambassa on May 30, 2017.
The matter was later taken up as Special POCSO 2/2025. During the trial, the court recorded the statements of 23 witnesses and considered their evidence along with the cross-examinations.
After examining the evidence, Special Judge Dhiman Debbarma found Vijay Ghosh guilty under Section 376(1) of the IPC. The court imposed a sentence of 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in a further six months of rigorous imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court directed that ₹5 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim.
The police said two other accused, Rohit Chakma and Shubham Chakma, had been acquitted earlier for lack of sufficient evidence. The proceedings were also prolonged as Vijay Ghosh had remained absconding for a considerable period.
Police officials expressed hope that the judgment would provide a measure of relief to the victim and her family after the prolonged legal process.
