Koraput: The Special POCSO Court in Jeypore on Tuesday sentenced a man to six years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 for raping his 15-year-old step niece.
The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered after the court examined 12 witnesses and 18 documents. In addition to the fine, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the rape-survivor.
According to case details, the victim’s father had entrusted her to her step maternal uncle’s care after her mother’s death so she could continue her studies. On January 29, 2023, while the accused’s wife was away, he raped the minor.
Upon learning of the incident, the victim’s father filed a complaint at the Sunabeda police station. The police registered a case, investigated the matter, and arrested the accused.