CUTTACK: The Special POCSO Court here on Tuesday sentenced a 22- year-old youth to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 20 years after convicting him of raping a six-year-old girl five months ago.
Father of the victim girl reported the offence at Jagatpur police station in Cuttack on January 17, 2024. He alleged that the accused had raped her by alluring her for marriage. He was arrested on January 18, 2024 and had since been an under trial prisoner.
Presiding Judge Himansu Sekhar Singh also imposed on the accused Bighneswar Das a fine of Rs 50,000, while recommending the case of the victim to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for granting compensation as per Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme.
“The victim was a minor at the time of occurrence who was sexually assaulted by the accused and became pregnant followed by delivery of a child. The victim is accordingly awarded `4 lakh as compensation under the scheme,” the judge said in the order.
Special public prosecutors Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and Biswajit Ray presented the case for the prosecution.