Nabarangpur: A court in Nabarangpur district on Thursday sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for the abduction and sexual assault of a minor girl that occurred last year.
The Additional District Judge of Nabarangpur also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on the convict, identified as Duryadhan Goud, a resident of Dasmantpur area in Koraput district.
The court further stipulated that the convict would face an additional one-year jail term if he fails to pay the penalty amount.
According to the prosecution, the minor victim went missing on May 17, 2025, while she was en route to the Bali Yatra fair in the Tentulikhunti area of Nabarangpur. Her disappearance prompted her family to file a missing person report with the Khatiguda police station.
Subsequent police action led to the safe recovery of the minor girl and the apprehension of the accused. Following a thorough investigation, the court found Goud guilty, basing its verdict on the testimony of 18 witnesses and the evidence compiled by the police.
Public Prosecutor Mrutyunjaya Maharana confirmed the conviction and sentence. He also stated that the court has directed the District Legal Services Authority to disburse a compensation of Rs 10.5 lakh to the victim for her rehabilitation.
