Auto driver sentenced to 20 years RI for raping minor girl

Kendrapara, Nov 20 (UNI) Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-special judge Kendrapada, Prangya Parmita Raul, on Thursday convicted a 48-year-old autorickshaw driver and sentenced him to 20 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 60,000 for raping an eight-year-old girl.

Special Public Prosecutor of Additional District Judge-cum-special judge (POCSO) Manoj Kumar Sahoo said the court announced the judgment after verifying evidence and hearing the testimony of eight witnesses.

The court ruled that the convict would have to undergo RI for one more year if he failed to pay the fine.
The court also asked the government to pay a compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the survivor for her proper rehabilitation.

According to Special Public Prosecutor, Arun alias Swayamprakash Nayak, of Gulnagar village under Kendrapada Sadar police station, on February 19 last, had taken the victim to a lonely place in his auto rickshaw after dropping other students at their homes and raped the girl.

He threatened the victim with dire consequences if she disclosed the matter.
The victim later brought the matter to her parents and also informed them that one of her classmates was also raped by the accused auto driver a day before the incident.

The victim’s parents later reported the matter to the Principal of the school, but he did not take any steps against the accused.
Later, the father of the victim lodged an FIR at Kendrapara Sadar police station, which registered a case and arrested the accused Arun.