The POCSO Court in Sambalpur has sentenced Anil Samad to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl in the Mahulpali police jurisdiction.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 and directed that Rs 13 lakh be paid to the survivor as compensation.
The incident occurred on March 27, 2024, when the 15-year-old victim had come to attend her uncle’s wedding with her family. Around 8 PM, the accused lured her to a nearby forest, assaulted her, and committed the heinous crime. He later abandoned her near his residence and fled the scene.
The victim was found in critical condition and was first admitted to Kuchinda Medical and later shifted to VIMSAR Burla for advanced treatment. Her family lodged a written complaint at Burla Medical Outpost, leading to the arrest and court remand of Anil Samad.
After 14 months of trial, the POCSO Court found Samad guilty and pronounced the sentence. Government prosecutor Santosh Panda represented the victim’s side and played a key role in securing the conviction.
The judgment has been hailed as a strong message against crimes targeting minors and a step forward in ensuring justice for survivors.
