Thane, Sep 24 A special MCOCA court in Thane has sentenced a history-sheeter to life imprisonment in a 2022 sexual assault and robbery case and his accomplice to five years in prison.
In his order on Wednesday, Special Judge B D Shelke also imposed a fine of over Rs 15 lakh on each convict.
Special Public Prosecutor Sanjay More examined 13 witnesses, including the survivor, to prove the charges against prime accused Nishant Manojkumar Mishra, alias Monu Raider (39), and his accomplice Niraj Omprakash Rai (22).
According to the prosecution, during the intervening night of January 18 and 19, 2022, both accused forcibly entered a couple’s home in Nallasopara East. Rai abducted the woman’s husband on a two-wheeler, while Mishra repeatedly sexually assaulted her and robbed Rs 1,000 from the house.
The defence counsel raised concerns over delay in the registration of the FIR and unexamined witnesses from the woman’s neighbourhood. However, the court said the survivor’s testimony was fully supported by medical evidence showing bite marks and injuries caused during resistance.
“Solitary evidence of prosecutrix (woman) is sufficient provided the same inspires confidence and appears to be absolutely trustworthy, unblemished and should be of sterling quality,” the court said.
Addressing charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), the court reviewed 16 previous charge-sheets against Mishra involving murder, dacoity, and robbery.
It sentenced Mishra to life imprisonment, while Rai, who had no prior criminal record, was sentenced to five years.
(PTI News)
