A special Pocso court in Jajpur, Odisha, has sentenced a 25-year-old man to 20 years of imprisonment for kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 16-year-old girl last year. The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Judge Sarat Chandra Dehuri, who also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment.
Compensation Ordered for Survivor
The court directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority to pay compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the minor survivor. The accused was convicted under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for kidnapping the survivor on January 19, 2025, and raping her for two days in a house in Bhadrak district.
Complaint and Investigation
The girl's father filed a complaint on January 22, 2025, alleging that the accused had kidnapped and raped his daughter. Acting on the complaint, the police arrested the accused. Special Public Prosecutor Dilip Kumar Das stated, "Nine witnesses, including the survivor, deposed in this case in court. After relying on the evidence of witnesses and a medical report, the court convicted the accused to 20 years of imprisonment."
Details of the Crime
- The survivor was kidnapped on January 19, 2025.
- She was raped repeatedly over two days in a house in Bhadrak.
- The accused was arrested after a complaint was filed by the victim's father.
This case highlights the stringent measures under the Pocso Act to protect minors from sexual offenses. The court's swift action and the compensation order aim to provide justice and support to the survivor.
