Bargarh (Odisha): The POCSO court in Bargarh on Tuesday awarded the death penalty to a man convicted of raping and murdering a five-year-old girl in 2024.
The court sentenced Prashant Bariha to death after examining the statements of 37 prosecution witnesses, holding him guilty of committing the crime in the Paikamal area of Bargarh district.
In addition to the capital punishment, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide ₹15 lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased child.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on November 15, 2024. The convict allegedly took the minor to a nearby forest on the pretext of taking her to a water body for fishing. He later sexually assaulted and murdered the child in the forested area.
The case was tried under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharat Nyay Sanhita. The court observed that the offence fell under the category of the “rarest of rare” cases, warranting the maximum punishment under law.
The verdict has drawn widespread attention, with many viewing it as a strong message against crimes involving sexual violence against children.
