Jharsuguda POCSO Court sentenced Ranjit Kumar Mishra to life imprisonment for repeatedly raping his minor stepdaughter.
The Additional District Judge and POCSO Magistrate Pooja Sadhangi delivered the verdict on Saturday, calling the crime a grave violation of trust and dignity.
The case involved Mishra, a resident of Oram Pada in Jharsuguda, who lived with his wife and 16-year-old stepdaughter. In January and May 2024, he assaulted the girl when his wife was away. He threatened to kill her if she revealed the abuse. On July 29, 2024, Mishra again assaulted the victim, but her mother heard her cries and intervened. The victim later filed a written complaint at Jharsuguda Town Police Station.
Police registered Case No. 497/2024 under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Investigators filed a chargesheet within 58 days, ensuring swift trial proceedings. The Jharsuguda POCSO verdict ordered life imprisonment with rigorous punishment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, along with a fine of ₹50,000. Failure to pay the fine will add one more year of imprisonment.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide Rs 10.5 lakh in compensation to the victim, including the fine amount. Government lawyer Rajkumar Sribas represented the victim during the trial.
