A Sambalpur court sentenced Baba Prafulla Mahala to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a tribal woman.
Court Verdict
The Additional District Judge in Rairakhol delivered the verdict on Thursday, convicting Baba Prafulla Mahala of Baishnabjhuli for sexually assaulting a tribal woman in October 2024. The court imposed a fine of ₹10,000, with an additional one-year jail term if unpaid.
The judge, Parthasarathi Pattnayak, relied on 21 witness testimonies and 38 documents to establish guilt. The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Sambalpur was directed to provide compensation to the survivor.
Case Background
Mahala, originally from Balia Pada village in Boudh district, lived in a monastery near Vaishnabjhuli. He claimed to treat illnesses with herbal medicines. In October 2024, the survivor visited him with her mother for acidity treatment. Mahala collected her phone number and later called her to the monastery, saying the medicine was ready.
On December 4, 2024, when she arrived, Mahala gave her sedatives and raped her. She regained consciousness and realised the assault. She reached Rairakhol hospital for treatment and lodged a police complaint. Police registered a case, arrested Mahala, and filed charges.
