A special POCSO (Protection of Children from of Sexual Offences) Court in Sundargarh sentenced a man to eight years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) on Saturday and slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on him for raping an eight-year-old girl. The accused was identified as Alekha Patra from Baunrakela locality under Bonai police limits.
As per the case, father of the minor rape survivor is a Gupchup vendor. He was selling the food item on July 14, 2016 on a cart at a place in the village along with his daughter (victim), who was assisting him when it had started raining heavily. The accused covered the minor under his umbrella and later promised to drop her at her home. But he raped her on the way.
As the victim girl had not returned home for quite a long time, her family members launched a frantic search for her at all probable locations. After they reached a school, accused Alekha ran away from the spot leaving the girl alone. The girl was then rescued by the family members. The accused was arrested the next morning under POCSO Act and the case was registered.