Puri: An Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Puri on Saturday convicted a man in a case involving kidnapping, sexual assault and criminal intimidation.
Judge Hrushikesh Sahoo found the accused, Ananta Behera, guilty in connection with Pipili police station case number 520 of 2023. Upon conviction, the court sentenced Behera to rigorous imprisonment (RI) for 20 years and imposed a fine of ₹5,000.
The accused was held guilty under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(n), 323 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 6 read with the relevant provisions of the POCSO Act. The court observed that the prosecution had successfully established the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The case was registered by Pipili police following a complaint alleging the kidnapping and repeated sexual assault of a minor girl. After completion of investigation, the charge sheet was submitted and the trial proceeded before the special court.
With the conviction and sentencing, the court reiterated the need for strict punishment in cases involving sexual offences against children to act as a deterrent and ensure justice for victims.
