The Phulbani Special POCSO Court sentenced Gajendra Singh Patra of Daringbadi police station area to 20 years in jail for raping a minor girl.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, with an additional six months of imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid.
The incident dates back to 2019, when Gajendra entered the victim’s house and attempted rape. Hearing her cries, family members rushed in, forcing him to flee. Later, he lured the girl by promising marriage and took her to his home, where he repeatedly assaulted her for months before abandoning her.
The victim’s family lodged a complaint at the police station, leading to Gajendra’s arrest. During the trial, Judge Manoranjan Das examined 17 witnesses and other evidence before delivering the verdict.
The court directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the survivor. Public Prosecutor Ramesh Mahanti represented the government in the case.
This judgment underscores the seriousness with which POCSO courts handle crimes against minors, sending a strong message against sexual violence.
