Arunachal Pradesh Warden Sentenced to Death for Sexual Abuse of 21 Children

In a landmark ruling, a Special POCSO Court in Arunachal Pradesh has sentenced a school warden to death for sexually abusing 21 children over an eight-year period at a state-run residential primary school in Shi-Yomi district. The court in Yupia found three individuals—Yumken Bagra, Marbom Ngomdir, and Singtung Yorpen—guilty of multiple offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in connection with this high-profile case.

Yumken Bagra, who served as the school warden from 2014 to 2022, was convicted under IPC Sections 328 and 506, as well as POCSO Act Sections 6, 10, and 12, and received a death sentence due to the severity of his crimes. Marbom Ngomdir, a Hindi teacher at the school, was found guilty under IPC Section 506 and POCSO Act Sections 17 and 21(1). Singtung Yorpen, the former headmaster of Karo Government Residential School, was convicted under POCSO Act Sections 17 and 21(2). Both Ngomdir and Yorpen were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Superintendent of Police, Itanagar, Rohit Rajbir Sing, described the verdict as a pivotal moment for societal awareness. “This judgment not only addresses the immediate issue but also marks a critical turning point for broader awareness surrounding child protection, reinforcing the collective responsibility to safeguard children’s rights and welfare,” he said.

The investigation gained momentum under the leadership of Shi-Yomi SP Irak Bagra and West Siang SP Abhimanyu Poswal, before the case was transferred to the Crime Branch Police Station Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT took over the case on November 24, 2022, and subsequently filed a charge sheet in court.

This ruling is seen as a significant step in ensuring justice for the victims and raising awareness about child protection in the country.