A court in Odisha's Jajpur district has delivered a stern verdict in a sensitive case involving the sexual assault of a minor. The court sentenced a 20-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl earlier this year.
Swift Justice in a Fast-Track Court
The judgment was pronounced by the Ad hoc Additional District and Sessions-cum-Fast Track Court, designated to handle cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. Presiding Judge Sarat Kumar Dehuri not only handed down the two-decade prison term but also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. The court specified that failure to pay this fine would result in an additional two years being added to his sentence.
In a significant move aimed at supporting the survivor's rehabilitation, Judge Dehuri directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) to ensure the girl receives a compensation of Rs 7 lakh. This directive underscores the legal system's focus on providing tangible support to victims beyond just punishing the perpetrator.
The Harrowing Incident and Police Action
The case dates back to January 31, when the traumatic incident occurred. According to the complaint filed by the girl's mother at the local police station, the accused waylaid the victim as she was returning home from the market in the evening. He allegedly dragged her to a cowshed and raped her there.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police arrested the accused. He was charged under stringent sections of the law, including Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to the rape of a woman under eighteen years of age, and Section 6 of the Pocso Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child.
Trial, Evidence, and Conviction
The trial saw seven witnesses depose before the court, including the brave survivor herself. The prosecution built a strong case based on this testimonial evidence and corroborating medical reports.
Partha Sarathi Ray, the Special Public Prosecutor who argued the case, stated, "The court, after relying on the evidence of witnesses and the medical report, found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him." The reliance on concrete evidence ensured that the legal process was thorough and left little room for doubt regarding the accused's guilt.
This verdict from Jajpur sends a powerful message about the seriousness with which the judiciary treats crimes against children. The combination of a long prison sentence, a substantial financial penalty, and mandated victim compensation reflects a holistic approach to justice, aiming both to deter such heinous crimes and to aid in the survivor's recovery.
