A court in Odisha's Bargarh district delivered a decisive verdict on Tuesday, sentencing a 21-year-old man to death for the horrific rape and murder of a minor girl in November 2024. The judgment, hailed for its swiftness, underscores a firm judicial response to crimes against children.
The Gruesome Crime and Swift Investigation
The convict, identified as Prashanta Bag, had lured the young victim to a secluded area under the false pretext of taking her fishing. In a brutal attack, the girl was raped and killed. Her naked body, bearing severe head injuries, was later discovered in a nearby jungle.
Acting promptly, the girl's grandfather filed a formal complaint with the police on the very same day the crime was discovered. The Bargarh police ensured a rapid investigation. "We ensured a swift probe and filed the chargesheet within 20 days," stated Bargarh Superintendent of Police Prahlad Sahai Meena, highlighting the efficiency that paved the way for a quick trial.
A Speedy Trial and Landmark Judgment
The legal process moved at an uncommon pace, with the trial concluding in less than a year. The court examined a total of 37 witnesses before reaching its verdict. Additional District and Sessions Judge Kiran Kumar Pradhan, in the judgment order, left no room for ambiguity regarding the gravity of the offence.
Judge Pradhan explicitly noted that "the brutality of the crime warranted the highest punishment," justifying the decision to impose the death sentence on the convict, Prashanta Bag.
Compensation for the Bereaved Family
Recognizing the profound loss and trauma endured by the victim's family, the Bargarh court also issued an order for financial compensation. The court directed that the bereaved family be provided with a sum of Rs 15 lakh as relief. This directive is a crucial aspect of the judgment, aiming to offer some support to the family in the aftermath of the unimaginable tragedy.
The case stands as a significant example of the criminal justice system functioning with determined speed in a particularly heinous crime, delivering both punitive and restorative measures.
