The Special POCSO Court in Angul sentenced accused Babula Jena to death for the abduction, rape, and murder of a minor girl.
Judge Somya Priyadarshini delivered the verdict within one year of trial.
On March 13, 2025, a four-year-old girl went missing while playing outside her home in the Nisha Industrial Area. Her family reported the disappearance the next day. Police later discovered her body under a mahua tree. Investigations revealed that the accused abducted the child, committed rape, and killed her by crushing her with a stone.
Angul SP Rahul Jain formed a special team led by Officer Jogeswari Behera. Scientific experts and sniffer dogs assisted in the probe. Based on local intelligence and evidence, police arrested Babula Jena within four days. The case was fast-tracked, and police presented 32 witnesses and forensic evidence before the court.
The court sentenced Jena to death after evaluating witness testimonies and evidence. SP Rahul Jain called the judgment a significant day for justice and thanked the Special POCSO Court. He said the swift trial and verdict marked a successful outcome for law enforcement. Government prosecutors Saroj Pattnayak and later, Dillip Das represented the case during hearings.
