Nabarangpur: A Special POCSO Court in Odisha on Saturday sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for kidnapping and repeatedly raping a minor girl in a case dating back to 2013, besides imposing a fine of Rs 20,000 on him.
Additional District Sessions Judge and Special POCSO Court Judge Basudev Acharya directed that the convict, Dushmanta Bag alias Durlabh Baba of Majursahi under Koksera police station in Kalahandi district, would undergo an additional one year of imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
According to the case records, Bag had allegedly kidnapped the minor girl from the Chandahandi police station area on June 10, 2013, and kept her at his house for around 20 days. During this period, he allegedly threatened the girl and repeatedly raped her against her will.
Following a written complaint by the victim’s family, Chandahandi police registered a case and arrested the accused before producing him in court. After completing the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet in the case.
The court, after examining the evidence of 17 witnesses and other materials on record, found the accused guilty and awarded the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to facilitate payment of Rs 7 lakh in compensation by the State Government for the victim’s rehabilitation and better future.
Special Public Prosecutor Mrutyunjay Maharana conducted the case on behalf of the prosecution.
