Bhubaneswar: The Additional District Magistrate and Special POCSO Court in Jajpur sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping an 8-year-old girl.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on Kalia alias Arakshit Parida (52) and directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victim.
The incident occurred on October 23, 2024, when the minor girl was returning home after playing. The accused lured her to a secluded place, raped her, and warned her not to inform anyone about the incident. The victim was shifted to a local hospital and later to SCB Medical College in Cuttack, where she revealed the details of the incident to her family.
Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone “Dana” hitting Odisha on the same day, Investigating Officer Inspector Sumati Mohanty took swift action, raiding various places and arresting the accused from Kendrapara.
Based on witness statements and circumstantial evidence, the court delivered the verdict, ensuring justice for the victim
