Justice After Seven Years: Mayurbhanj Court Gives Convicts Life Sentence
Key Points
Court convicts Kanhu Marandi, Hrudananda Nayak, and Sole Hansda for gang rape of a mentally challenged woman.
₹20,000 fine with one-year additional imprisonment if unpaid.
Case from 2018 concludes with strong legal action and survivor compensation.
Baripada, Aug 7: In a landmark judgment, the Mayurbhanj District and Sessions Court sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a mentally challenged woman in 2018.
The convicts — Kanhu Marandi, Hrudananda Nayak, and Sole Hansda — all residents of Shialighati village under Badasahi police limits, were found guilty based on strong witness testimony and forensic evidence.
Presiding judge Sudipta Acharya also imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on each convict. In case of non-payment, they will serve an additional one year of imprisonment. The court directed the District Legal Services Authority to ensure compensation for the survivor.
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✨The incident, which occurred in 2018, had sparked outrage across the region. The survivor, a mentally challenged woman, was assaulted by the trio in a remote part of the village. Following a complaint lodged by her family, Badasahi police arrested the accused and filed charges under relevant sections of the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Government prosecutor Sasmita Mohapatra led the case, ensuring a thorough presentation of evidence and witness accounts. The court’s verdict is being hailed as a strong message against crimes targeting vulnerable individuals.
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