Keonjhar: A 22-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the fast track court in Keonjhar for raping a 15-year-old girl. Judge Vijay Kumar Mishra also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, with an additional year’s imprisonment in case of default.
The incident came to light on May 31, 2020, when Childline team leader Shukanti Patra received information about the minor’s abduction. The accused allegedly kidnapped the girl with the intention of marriage and subsequently raped her.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Childline team rescued the girl and filed a complaint with Sadar police station. The accused was arrested and sent to judicial custody.
Special public prosecutor Gyanendra Nath Jena said the court’s verdict was based on statements from 18 witnesses and police report. The court has also recommended the District Legal Service Authority to provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the girl. The judgment, delivered Friday, reflects the judiciary’s stern stance against crimes against minors in the state.