In a major verdict emphasizing child safety and swift judicial action, the Special POCSO Court in Kataka sentenced a 55-year-old school van driver to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually harassing and abusing two minor schoolgirls.
The convict has been identified as Bishu, alias Biswanath Sahu, a resident of Kaijanga village under the Biridi police limit in Jagatsinghpur district.
Along with the 20-year prison sentence, Prashant Kumar Das, the Ad-hoc Additional District and Sessions Judge (Fast Track Special POCSO Court-1), imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional year of imprisonment. In a supportive measure for the young victims, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide a total compensation of Rs 9 lakh to the two sisters.
Chilling Pattern of Abuse Behind Covered Windows
According to case records, the two victims—sisters studying in Class 1 and Class 3 at a local girls’ high school—used a Tempo Traveler van for their daily commute. Biswanath was the driver of the vehicle.
Exploiting his position, the accused would cover the front windshield of the van with newspapers after school hours to hide his actions from passersby. He then systematically abused the two young girls inside the vehicle. When the minors resisted, he attempted to lure and silence them with snacks and biscuits while threatening them with dire consequences if they spoke out.
Swift Police Investigation and Conviction
Unable to endure the persistent abuse, the elder girl eventually disclosed the ordeal to their mother. Promptly reacting to the revelation, the mother lodged a formal complaint at the Cantonment Police Station on February 24, 2026.
Kataka Police registered a case and launched an immediate investigation, arresting Biswanath on February 25, 2026, and remanding him to judicial custody.
Following the submission of the charge sheet, trial proceedings commenced rapidly. The prosecution presented strong testimonial, medical, and scientific evidence, examining 16 witnesses during the trial. After thoroughly analyzing the evidence and listening to arguments from both sides, the court found Biswanath guilty under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and Indian Penal Code, handing down the 20-year sentence.
