Jagatsinghpur: The Special POCSO Court in Jagatsinghpur has sentenced Aman Rajak, a resident of Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, to five years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) after convicting him for circulating explicit content of a minor girl on social media and harassing her. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Rajak
According to an official press note of the Odisha Police, the verdict was delivered in connection with CID-CB Cyber Crime Case registered on November 15, 2021, under Sections 292(2)(a), 500, and 506 of the IPC, along with Sections 12 and 14 of the POCSO Act and Sections 66-C, 66-E, 67, and 67-B of the IT Act.
The minor girl’s father lodged a complaint alleging that Aman Rajak had circulated explicit images and videos of his daughter on social media.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the victim, a minor preparing for medical entrance exams, had befriended Rajak on Instagram. The two shared their Instagram IDs and passwords, developing a close relationship.
However, Rajak, with malicious intent, changed the password of the victim’s Instagram account in 2021 and persuaded her to share nude photographs and videos, exploiting her trust.
Rajak later posted the explicit content on the victim’s Instagram account to harass her. Following the victim’s request, the account was deactivated through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Undeterred, Rajak continued his harassment by sending the explicit content to the complainant via WhatsApp. The investigating officer (IO) examined the complainant, the victim, and her mother, seizing relevant evidence, including the mobile handset, SIM cards, chat screenshots, the victim’s birth certificate, and correspondence with the NCRP.
The Investigating Officer also confirmed through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Mobile Service Provider (MSP) that the SIMs and IP addresses used to send the explicit content belonged to Rajak.
After apprehending Rajak on December 22, 2021, the IO seized his mobile handset, SIM cards, and relevant screenshots, establishing his exclusive possession of the incriminating material. With prima facie evidence under the aforementioned legal provisions, Rajak was arrested and presented before the ADJ cum Special POCSO Court in Jagatsinghpur.
The investigation culminated in a charge sheet submitted on February 18, 2022, under Sections 292(2)(a), 500, and 506 of the IPC, Sections 12 and 14 of the POCSO Act, and Sections 66-C, 66-E, 67, and 67-B of the IT Act.
The trial, conducted in the Special POCSO Court, Jagatsinghpur, concluded with Rajak’s conviction. Taking into account the severity of the offence, its execution, and its societal impact, the court sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment.
