Berhampur Court Sentences Six Men to 20 Years for Gang Rape of Minor
In a landmark judgment, the Special POCSO Court in Berhampur has sentenced six men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the gang rape of a minor student.
The incident took place on May 3, 2024, in the Baidyanathpur area of Ganjam district.
The victim courageously reported the assault to her family, leading to swift police action and registration of Case No. 240/24. Following a thorough investigation, the accused were arrested and brought to trial.
The convicts — Rutun Kumar Das (25), Rudra Jena (24), Abhilash Palei (21), Akash Nayak (29), Juman Gouda (22), and Omkar Jena (26) — were found guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Each was fined Rs 10,000, with an additional one year of imprisonment in case of default.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide Rs 15 lakh compensation to the survivor for rehabilitation.
The verdict was based on testimonies from 13 witnesses, including the victim, and was delivered by Judge Pranati Pattnaik. Special Public Prosecutor Narayan Panda led the prosecution.
This judgment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to delivering swift justice in cases of sexual violence and sends a strong message against crimes targeting minors.
