Fast-Track Court Awards 10-Year Jail Term to Man for Raping Minor in Kendrapada

Bhubaneswar: A fast-track court in Odisha’s Kendrapada district has sentenced a 21-year-old man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl last year.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Special Judge Tribikram Keshari Chinara, who convicted the accused under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The court also directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority to provide ₹4 lakh as compensation to the survivor.

According to the prosecution, the case came to light after the survivor’s mother lodged an FIR alleging that her daughter had been raped while she was alone at home on July 27, 2025. Acting on the complaint, police arrested the accused and filed a chargesheet upon completion of the investigation.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 15 witnesses, including the survivor, and relied on medical and other supporting evidence to establish the charges. After evaluating the testimony and evidence presented, the court held the accused guilty and pronounced the sentence, Special Public Prosecutor Samar Keshari Mohapatra said.

The case was tried in a fast-track court to ensure timely justice for the minor survivor.