In a significant verdict, a Fast-Track Special Court in Odisha’s Anugola district on Friday sentenced four men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the gang rape of a 21-year-old woman and a minor girl.
The Additional District and Sessions Judge (Fast-Track Special Court), Anugola, convicted all four accused under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Besides the prison sentence, the court also imposed fines under different sections of the law.
Case dates back to August 2024
According to Odisha Police, the incident occurred on August 6, 2024, when a 21-year-old woman and a minor girl were allegedly forced to consume alcohol before being sexually assaulted by a group of men in Anugola district.
Following the registration of the case, police arrested four accused—Jitu Sahu, Hrudaya Chandra Pradhan, Asit Kumar Sahu, and Deepu alias Dibyaranjan Amanta.
Swift investigation led to conviction
The investigation was conducted by Sub-Inspector Sanghamitra Satpathy under the direct supervision of Anugola Superintendent of Police Rahul Jain.
Police completed the investigation and filed the chargesheet within 59 days of the case being registered. Investigators relied on scientific evidence, witness testimonies and other corroborative material to build the prosecution’s case.
Based on the evidence presented during the trial, the Fast-Track Special Court found all four accused guilty and awarded rigorous imprisonment of 20 years.
Odisha Police reiterates zero-tolerance policy
Odisha Police said the conviction highlights the importance of scientific, victim-centric and evidence-based investigations in ensuring timely justice in crimes against women and children.
The police also reiterated their zero-tolerance policy towards heinous crimes involving women and minors, stating that every effort will continue to be made to conduct speedy investigations, file chargesheets within the prescribed timeline and secure strict punishment for offenders through the judicial process.
