Jharsuguda: A local court on Saturday sentenced a 46-year-old tuition teacher to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old student. Additional district & sessions-cum-special judge (Pocso), Puja Sarangi, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict.On May 2, 2022, the man, who ran tuition classes from his house, asked the girl to stay back after allowing other students to leave around 11 am. According to the prosecution, he showed the minor girl some photos and inappropriately touched her. The terrified girl fled to her house and reported the incident to her mother, who then informed villagers and her husband.The girl’s father subsequently filed an FIR, leading to the convict’s arrest. During the trial, the prosecution presented 27 witnesses and 58 documents to prove the charges.“The court found the accused guilty under Section 6 of the Pocso Act,” said special public prosecutor Pritiwiraj Singhdeo. He added that if he defaults, the convict would serve an additional year in prison. The court has also directed the state govt to provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the girl.