The Special POCSO Court in Ganjam today delivered its verdict in a heinous case involving the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, sentencing the accused, identified as her uncle Kalia Nahak, to life imprisonment until his natural death along with a fine of Rs 25,000.
According to case details, on April 25 this year, the victim was abducted from her village, Khalingee under Patapur police limits in Ganjam district. The accused, her maternal uncle, was found to have abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered the minor before dumping her body in an under-construction building.
Police acted swiftly after receiving the complaint, collecting strong scientific and forensic evidence, including DNA analysis, which confirmed the accused’s involvement. He was arrested soon after. Within 50 days, the chargesheet was filed, and statements of 20 witnesses were recorded. The trial concluded in just 121 days, leading to the conviction.
In its judgment, the court convicted the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, awarding him life imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 10,000. Additionally, the court ordered compensation of Rs 5 lakh to be provided to the victim’s family.
The investigation, led by Inspector Dipti Ranjan Behera under the supervision of Ganjam SP Shuvendu Patra, has been commended for its professionalism and effective use of modern forensic techniques.
Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania has been personally monitoring crimes against women and children across the state. He has directed investigating officers to employ advanced scientific methods and file chargesheets promptly in such sensitive cases to ensure timely justice.
The swift investigation, strong evidence, and coordinated effort of Odisha Police have ensured justice for the victim’s family in this tragic case.
