Life Sentence in Jajpur Minor Rape Case: Odisha Court Delivers Landmark POCSO Verdict
In a landmark judgment reinforcing the urgency of child protection, a Special POCSO Court in Jajpur, Odisha, sentenced 52-year-old Arakshit Parida (alias Kalia) to life imprisonment for the rape of an 8-year-old girl.
The crime occurred on October 23, 2024, during Cyclone Dana’s landfall, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.
Despite being deployed for disaster management, Inspector Sumati Mohanty led a swift and determined probe, arresting the accused from Kendrapara district within days.
The court, citing compelling evidence and witness testimonies, imposed a Rs 2 lakh fine and directed the District Legal Services Authority to compensate the victim with Rs 5 lakh.
The survivor, initially hospitalised in critical condition, bravely disclosed the assault to her family, prompting an FIR at Bari-Ramchandrapur police station.
The verdict, delivered on September 23, 2025, is hailed as a milestone in enforcing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and underscores Odisha Police’s commitment to justice—even in the face of natural calamities.
