A court in Odisha's Bargarh district has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing a 21-year-old man to death for the horrific rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in November 2024. The convict, Prashanta Bag, also received a life imprisonment term for the kidnapping and murder of the minor, in a case that shocked the conscience of the region.
Swift Justice Under New Legal Framework
The additional district and sessions-cum-special judge, Kiran Kumar Pradhan, pronounced the verdict on Tuesday, finding Bag guilty under the stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In his order, Judge Pradhan stated that the sheer brutality of the crime warranted the highest punishment available.
Highlighting the efficiency of the investigation, Bargarh Superintendent of Police Prahlad Sahai Meena noted that a swift probe led to the filing of a chargesheet within a mere 20 days of the crime. The trial itself was concluded in less than a year, with the court examining 37 witnesses, reviewing 55 documents, and assessing 27 material objects as evidence.
Details of a Heinous Crime
According to the police case, the tragic incident occurred when the accused allegedly lured the young victim on the false pretext of going fishing. Later, her naked body bearing severe head injuries was discovered in a nearby jungle. The girl's grandfather filed a formal police complaint on the same day, setting the legal process in motion.
Given the sensitive nature of the case involving a minor, it was monitored at the highest levels of the police hierarchy. Inspector General (northern range) Himanshu Lal stated that this oversight enabled the police to build a watertight investigation that ultimately led to a conviction. "This will send a strong message to wrongdoers and serve as a deterrent," IG Lal asserted.
Compensation and Legal Resonance
In addition to the death and life sentences, the court directed the provision of Rs 15 lakh in compensation to the bereaved family. A district official acknowledged that while no monetary amount could ever compensate for such an irreparable loss, the sum was intended to provide some measure of relief to the family.
Legal experts in Odisha have hailed the judgment as a significant one. Senior advocate Debasish Mishra from Bargarh pointed out that the case demonstrates the effective enforcement of the new legal framework under the BNS. The police also emphasized that the conviction reflects the seriousness with which such grievous crimes against children are now being handled in the state. SP Meena reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring justice for victims through speedy trials, adding that the judgment sends an unequivocal message to those with evil intent.
