Sexual assault of minor girl
SHILLONG: Another charge sheet has been filed against Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang for the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a guest house in Ri Bhoi district.
A police official said the charge sheet was filed last week before the local court in the district under various provisions of the POCSO Act.
It was after the chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor, filed a complaint with the police that the FIR was referred to the Ri Bhoi police to investigate the case.
Earlier on February 9, the East Khasi Hills police had filed charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge (POCSO), Shillong Court, against six persons, including Mawhati MLA, in the 14-year-old girl’s rape and trafficking case.
Following this, copies of the charge sheets will be supplied to the accused persons.
Dorphang was charge sheeted under Section 5 (C)/(1)/6 of the POCSO Act that calls for punishment of a public representative raping a minor.
The similar nature of charge sheet was filed by the Ri Bhoi police following the investigation into the case.
The legislator, who was supporting the Congress-led MUA-II Government, was removed from the post of chairman of Meghalaya Khadi and Village Industries Board.
As many as 18 people who were directly or indirectly involved in the sexual assault of the minor were arrested in connection with the case.
Four more persons are yet to be arrested, while one among them identified as Sudhir Kr Paul whom the girl named as ‘Prof. Roy’ has been declared an absconder by the police.
Last week, the service of Paul, hailing from North 24 Parganas (Barasat) in West Bengal was terminated at the Sacred Heart Career Academy near Fire Brigade where he worked as office manager.