Phulbani: A POCSO court in Phulbani on Wednesday sentenced Sankar Pradhan to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for the brutal rape of a 4-year-old girl and assaulting her mother in February 2024.
The court also imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on the convict. Failure to pay the penalty will result in an additional 13 months in jail. Additionally, the Kandhamal District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has been directed to provide ₹7 lakh as compensation to the survivor.
The horrific crime occurred when Pradhan forcibly snatched the toddler from her mother’s arms outside their home and raped her. Acting swiftly on the mother’s FIR, police arrested the accused and presented him before the court.
