Bhubaneswar: A Special POCSO Court in Kendrapara on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 53-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old girl in 2024, an offence that resulted in her pregnancy.
The court, presided over by Judge Pragyan Paramita Roul, also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict. In default of payment, he will undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment, prosecution counsel Nehru Kumar Sahu informed.
According to the case details presented by the prosecution, the accused took advantage of the minor girl being alone at home and committed the rape in 2024. The crime came to light after the victim became pregnant, prompting her family to approach the police.
In addition to the punishment, Judge Roul directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) to provide Rs 8 lakh as compensation to the victim under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The compensation aims to support the survivor’s rehabilitation, medical needs, and future well-being.
The case was registered following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family, leading to a thorough investigation and trial.
