Dimapur, July 27: A man who absconded while out on interim bail in a POCSO case has been re-arrested after nearly four years and sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Dimapur.
According to a press note issued by the Office of the Special Public Prosecutor on July 24th, Lanuchuchang Walling (33), a resident of Dibuia village presently residing at Dobagaon, Dimapur, had been granted interim bail on March 16, 2022, but absconded before the pronouncement of judgment. He was traced and re-arrested by Investigating Officer SI Tajungsangla on July 13, 2026, from a rented house in Dobagaon and was remanded to judicial custody.
Following his re-arrest, the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Dimapur, pronounced judgment on July 22, 2026, convicting him under the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court sentenced the accused to:
• 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act with a fine of ₹5,000.
• 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 376(3) IPC with a fine of ₹5,000.
• 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 376(2)(f)(i)(n) IPC with a fine of ₹5,000.
All three sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, the court sentenced him to six months’ simple imprisonment under Section 229A IPC for failing to appear before the court while on bail. His ₹1 lakh bail bond was also ordered to be forfeited and deposited with the State Exchequer within one month.
The case stemmed from a complaint lodged at the Women Police Station, Dimapur, on June 8, 2021. The victim, who was 13 years old and studying in Class VIII, alleged that her stepfather had repeatedly sexually assaulted her in the absence of her mother. Medical examination confirmed that she was carrying a 20 to 22-week-old fetus at the time the FIR was registered.
The court observed that the accused had abused a position of trust by exploiting the vulnerability of the minor victim and held that the offence did not deserve leniency.
The Special Public Prosecutor stated that the successful re-arrest after four years reflects the diligence and perseverance of the investigating officer and reaffirms the justice system’s commitment to ensuring that offenders against children are brought to justice, even after absconding.
