Bhubaneswar: In a significant judgement, the Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court of Balasore convicted a person under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the horrific rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Balasore district.
The convict identified as Rabi Sing, a resident of Baghamara village under Nilagiri police limits, has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 5,000 under Section 42 of the POSCO Act. Additionally, he will serve life imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs. 5,000.
The court also ordered compensation of Rs. 9 lakh in favour of the victim, which will be paid by the state through the District Legal Services Authority, Balasore.
The crime was committed on August 27, 2024, while a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on August 30. The accused was arrested on the same day August 30. The chargesheet was submitted on September 26 and the judgment was delivered on November 5.
However, the swift justice is attributed to the diligent efforts of the Balasore police, including the Investigating Officer, Special Public Prosecutor, and former Superintendent of Police of Balasore Sagarika Nath. Despite court closures due to Durga Puja vacation and Cyclone Dana, the chargesheet was submitted within a month, and the trial was completed in approximately one month.
It is pertinent to mention that Remuna police had arrested Sing following the complaint of the victim’s father on August 30.
Police sources said the convict and the victim’s father happened to be friends. On the fateful day, the convict had come to the complainant’s house in the morning and spent several hours. He then asked his friend to take her daughter to Emami Chhak on the pretext of giving her snacks. He then took her to an abandoned house where he allegedly raped and murdered the girl on August 27.
On the basis of a complaint filed by the victim’s father. Remuna police nabbed him from the Nilagiri area. Sing had confessed to the crime during the interrogation.
