Jeypore: The Special POCSO Court in Jeypore on Saturday sentenced a man to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for the rape of a visually impaired minor girl in Koraput district in 2024.
Additional District Judge and Special POCSO Court Judge Sanghamitra Das convicted the accused, identified as Laichhan Bhai, a resident of Kangara village under Semiliguda police station, after finding him guilty based on evidence and the testimony of nine witnesses during the hearing.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place in 2024 when the accused went to Chemiaguda village under Koraput police station to perform puja rituals. He allegedly took a 15-year-old visually impaired girl away from her residence on the pretext of curing her bad eyesight. He then gave her alcohol and raped her.
A formal complaint was lodged at the Koraput Town police station on September 24, 2024, leading to the registration of a case.
Special Public Prosecutor P. Sanyasi Rao, who represented the government, informed that the court sentenced Bhai to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000. In the event of non-payment of the fine, the accused will face an additional three years in prison.
In a significant directive aimed at supporting the survivor, the court also ordered that Rs 5 lakh be provided as compensation to the victim through the District Legal Services Authority from the government side.
