Odisha POCSO Court Delivers Death Sentence in Landmark Child Rape and Murder Case
In a historic judgment, the Special POCSO Court in Padmapur, Bargarh district, has sentenced Prashant Bag alias Bariha to death and life imprisonment for the rape and brutal murder of a six‑year‑old girl.
The crime, which occurred on November 15, 2024, in Soda village under Paikmal police station, shocked the state and drew widespread outrage.
The investigation, led by Paikmal IIC Mamata Nayak under the supervision of Bargarh SP Prahlad Sahai Meena (IPS), employed advanced forensic techniques, including DNA analysis, to build a watertight case.
The court examined 37 witnesses and relied on conclusive evidence to convict the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
Alongside the capital punishment, the court directed payment of Rs 15 lakh as financial assistance to the victim’s family.
Odisha Police Headquarters hailed the swift investigation and trial as a reflection of strengthened criminal justice processes under India’s new criminal laws, which aim to improve conviction rates in crimes against women and children.
Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania congratulated the investigating team and public prosecutor Dyutish Acharya, noting that the verdict underscores the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice in cases of heinous crimes against minors.
