: Special Judge POCSO Court Ranjan Kumar Sutar on Wednesday convicting a rape accused sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) with Rs 4,000 fine and in default, another two years RI term.
The convict, Akash Malick of Chhanua village under Basta police station, was arrested by the police following a compliant of the father of the victim in May, 2022.
The complainant alleged that her daughter was kidnapped on the way to her college in Baleswar and sexually assaulted by the accused. “The accused is convicted under Section 6 of the POCSO Act as it was proved that he committed repeated sexual assault against the victim. The court pronounced the verdict after examining 11 witnesses and 21 exhibits. He would undergo 20 years RI, besides paying a penalty of Rs 4,000,” the court ordered.
The court further ordered Rs 4 lakh compensation for the victim to be paid through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA),” said Special Public Prosecutor Pranab Panda.