Agartala, August 26, 2025: In a landmark judgment, Tripura’s Special Court in Dharmanagar under North district has sentenced Samir Naha, a goldsmith from Sepahijala district to life imprisonment for repeatedly raping a minor girl during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. The court also found the victim’s mother Sadhana Chakraborty and elder sister Shibani Chakraborty guilty of suppressing the crime and threatening the survivor into silence.

Special Judge Anshuman Debbarma delivered the verdict, emphasizing that shielding sexual violence is as punishable as committing it. “This judgment will serve as a stern warning to society,” said government counsel Sudarshan Sharma. “Not only the offenders, but also those who protect them and threaten victims are equally culpable in the eyes of law.”

According to the prosecution, Naha, who worked at D.L. Market in Dharmanagar, began sexually assaulting the minor girl while she was living with her family in a rented house in Noapara. The first assault occurred one night when Naha was intoxicated; he allegedly threatened to kill the girl if she resisted.

The survivor disclosed the incident to her mother and sister the following morning. However, instead of supporting her, they discouraged her from reporting the crime, citing financial dependence on the accused. The threats continued even after the family relocated to Jail Road, and the assaults persisted.

Eventually, the girl contacted the Childline helpline and was placed under protection at Sangadeep Child Care Institution. On April 3, 2021, Rakhi Chowdhury, the institution’s in-charge, filed a formal complaint at Dharmanagar Women Police Station. The case was registered under POCSO Act and IPC provisions (Case No. 2021 WDN-013, POCSO 11/2021). Investigating Officer Sanchita Nath submitted the chargesheet within two months.

After hearing testimonies from 17 witnesses, the Special Court in Dharmanagar convicted all three accused. Samir Naha was sentenced to life imprisonment under IPC Section 376(2), along with an additional 10 years under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, and fined ₹20,000. Sadhana Chakraborty and Shibani Chakraborty were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under IPC Sections 109 and 376(2)(n), as well as POCSO Section 6, with fines of ₹20,000 imposed on both.