In a strong message against crimes against children, the Special POCSO Court in Cuttack has sentenced a 20-year-old private tutor to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly subjecting a minor student to unnatural sexual abuse.
Additional District and Sessions Judge (FTSC-1) P.K. Das convicted Hafiz Nur Artaj alias Akhtar, a resident of Purulia in West Bengal, under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000, with a default sentence of one more year in jail if the fine remains unpaid.
Taking into account the severe mental trauma suffered by the child victim and his future well-being, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Cuttack, to pay ₹4 lakh as compensation to the minor through proper channels.
The accused was hired as a home tutor to teach Urdu to the minor boy in the Cantonment police station area of Cuttack. Using his position of trust, he allegedly threatened the child and committed repeated unnatural sexual abuse over a period of time.
Terrified and confused, the young victim initially stayed silent. Later, he gathered courage and narrated the horrific incidents to his mother. The family immediately approached the Cantonment Police Station and lodged an FIR on August 23, 2025.
Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Motilal Marandi conducted a thorough probe, arrested the accused from Bhadrak, and filed the chargesheet. Special Public Prosecutor Shubh Narayan Das represented the prosecution during the trial.
After examining all the evidence and witness statements, the court found the accused guilty and delivered the stringent punishment.
The verdict not only ensures the convict faces long-term imprisonment but also provides meaningful financial support to help the child victim recover and rebuild his life. The court’s order for ₹4 lakh compensation through DLSA reflects a victim-centric approach often seen in sensitive POCSO cases.
This judgment once again highlights the commitment of Odisha’s judiciary to deliver swift and strict justice in cases involving sexual offences against children.
