Odisha Court awards 7-yr RI for minor’s rape, orders Rs 3 lakh to rape survivor

Bhubaneswar, Aug 26 (UNI) A man in Odisha’s Bargarh district was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment by a designated POCSO court today for raping a minor girl two years
back.
The accused Balaram Sa had raped the minor who lived on his neighbourhood on August 8, 2023.

Sa gave her a fifty-rupee note and sent her to purchase a packet of biscuits.

Accordingly, the victim returned with a biscuit packet and handed over the packet and the rest Rs 40 to him. Later, the accused dragged her inside to his house and forcefully committed rape with her.
Twenty-four witnesses were examined during the investigation and a charge sheet was submitted against the accused.

The Court of Additional District Judge (ADJ)-cum-Special Judge under the POCSO Act, Bargarh, convicted the accused under Sections 342 and 354(B) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 10 of
the POCSO Act on the strength of a foolproof charge sheet.

The Court sentenced him to undergo 7-year RI and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. Additionally, the Court awarded Rs 3 lakh compensation, saying it would assist in the minor rape survivor’s rehabilitation.