In Gajapati district, a local court has delivered a strong verdict against a man who lured a minor girl with a false promise, drugged her cold drink, and sexually assaulted her before threatening to kill her if she spoke out.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Hara Prasad Pattnaik on Monday convicted 26-year-old Rajendra Jani of Sinkulipadar village under Mohana police station limits and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, along with a fine of ₹50,000. In default of payment, he will serve an additional three months in jail.
The judge also imposed seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a ₹10,000 fine under IPC Section 363 (kidnapping) and two years under Section 506 (criminal intimidation). All fines recovered will go directly to the survivor.
The court further directed the Odisha government to pay ₹7 lakh as compensation to the minor victim for her rehabilitation and future needs.
On the evening of February 10, 2024, the minor girl had gone with her father to Chandiput market. Rajendra Jani approached her with an offer to drop her home. Instead of taking her back, he took her on his motorcycle to a nearby forest. There, he mixed an intoxicant in a cold drink and forced her to consume it before committing the sexual assault. After the crime, he dropped her home but warned her of dire consequences if she revealed anything to anyone.
The girl’s mother had passed away around the same time. After completing the last rites, her father lodged a complaint at Mohana police station on February 19, 2024. The case was registered as Mohan PS Case No. 40/2024.
Sub-Inspector Soumya Ranjan Baral conducted a thorough investigation and filed a chargesheet. During the trial, the court examined 19 witnesses, 28 documents and other crucial evidence before holding the accused guilty.
Special Public Prosecutor M. Prithviraj presented the case effectively on behalf of the prosecution. Public Prosecutor Rajesh Kumar Mishra shared details of the judgment.
The verdict has been hailed as a strong deterrent in cases of crimes against children, especially those involving drug-facilitated sexual assault and threats to silence victims.
