Seventeen Years Imprisonment For Forcing to Engage in Sexual Act

  June 30, 2023 By: INSEC

The Dailekh District Court has issued a verdict of 17-year imprisonment, against 30-year-old Shobha Rokamagar, who currently operates a hotel business in Aathbis Municipality-6 Khidkijiula, Dailekh, for the offense of coercing a woman into engaging in sexual acts. The Court Information Officer, Nasu Tikaram Neupan, disclosed that the judgment was pronounced on June 29, 2023, by District Judge Balram Lamsal, following a charge of human trafficking involving a 27-year-old woman.

The police arrested Shobha Rokamagar on October 29, 2021, based on a complaint filed by the woman. It was alleged that on October 21, 2021, the hotel owner forced the victim to engage in sexual relations with nine individuals. On the day the complaint was lodged, the victim underwent a medical examination at Dailekh Hospital, also on October 21. Subsequently, following a police investigation, the District Public Prosecutor’s Office submitted a charge sheet to the Dailekh District Court on November 23, 2021.

After a detention hearing on November 24, the accused was remanded in the district jail as per the pre-trial detention order issued by the then District Judge, Dandapani Lamichhane.

The verdict specified a punishment in accordance with Section 15(b) of the Human Trafficking and Trafficking (Control) Act 2007, which includes a 10-year prison sentence, a fine of 50,000 rupees, and a compensation payment of 25,000 rupees to the victim, as stipulated under Section 17.

Under the provisions of the Human Trafficking and Trafficking (Control) Act 2007, the crime of coercing sexual activity carries a penalty of 10 years imprisonment, while human trafficking for forced sexual activity carries a maximum sentence of 17 years.


Amar Sunwar