Jharsuguda: A local court in Jharsuguda has convicted 14 women in a 23-year-old case related to assault and public humiliation in the Laikera area, bringing closure to a long-pending criminal trial that dates back to 2003.
The Court of the Senior Civil Judge (Women’s Court)-cum-JMFC, Jharsuguda, on June 26, 2026—though the order copy was made available on Friday—found the accused guilty under Sections 341, 323, 354, and 355 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They were, however, acquitted of charges under Section 294 IPC.
The court imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on the convicts instead of a custodial sentence. All the accused, aged between their 30s and 70s, were present in court during the pronouncement of the judgment and are currently out on bail.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on March 28, 2003, when the accused allegedly entered the house of a couple under Laikera police limits following a previous dispute and subjected them to assault and public humiliation.
The victims were allegedly stripped, garlanded with footwear, and forced to walk through the village with their faces blackened in broad daylight. A complaint was lodged the same day, following which Laikera police registered an FIR on March 30, 2003.
Police said all the accused, including some who were minors at the time, were arrested on April 5, 2003, but were released on bail within hours by the then inspector-in-charge of Laikera police station.
The charge sheet in the case was filed on July 17, 2003. However, charges were framed only on November 15, 2025, after a delay of over two decades. The trial commenced nearly seven months ago.
Usharani Majhi, Assistant Director (Prosecution), Jharsuguda, who monitored the case, said the investigation was completed on time, but the delay occurred at the stage of framing charges.
“Investigation was completed on time. The delay occurred after the filing of the charge sheet and before the commencement of the trial. Framing of charges lies within the jurisdiction of the court,” she said.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra welcomed the verdict, stating that justice, though delayed, had finally been delivered.
“Even after more than two decades, the criminal justice system has ensured accountability. The conviction reflects the importance of a fair, impartial, and evidence-based investigation,” the SP said.
The verdict marks the conclusion of a 23-year-long legal battle, reflecting the justice system’s eventual resolution of a long-pending criminal case in Jharsuguda.
