A 19-year-old youth from Dhenkanal district has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) by the Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Special POCSO Court in Kendrapara.
The convict, Ananda Nayak of Tenua village under Dhenkanal Sadar police limits, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. The court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, directing that the amount be paid to the victim for her rehabilitation. In case of default, Nayak will serve an additional year of RI.
Apart from the primary sentence under the POCSO Act, the court also handed concurrent sentences under Sections 137(2), 87, and 64(2)(m)/65(1) of the BNS, with additional fines totalling Rs 10,000. All sentences will run concurrently.
This judgment underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on crimes against children and highlights the importance of victim-centric justice in Odisha’s legal landscape.
