Mayurbhanj, Jul 23: In a landmark judgment, the Additional District and Sessions Judge of Mayurbhanj, who also presides over the Special Fast-Track POCSO Court, has sentenced a 61-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Judge Santosh Kumar Nayak, who found the accused guilty based on witness testimonies and investigation reports.

The convict, identified as Jatia Mahant from Ambapunja village under Chandua police limits, was also fined ₹10,000. In case of non-payment, he will serve an additional six months in jail.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the accused allegedly raped the minor after finding her alone. The victim’s family lodged a complaint at the local police station soon after learning about the incident.

Following the FIR (No. 97/25.09.2023), police swiftly arrested the accused and produced him before the court. The prosecution, led by advocate Manoranjan Pattnaik, presented strong evidence and witness statements that supported the charges.

In addition to the sentence, the court directed the Legal Services Authority to provide ₹2.5 lakh as compensation to the victim to aid her recovery and rehabilitation. The judgment has been hailed as a strong message against crimes targeting minors and reinforces the importance of fast-track courts in delivering timely justice.

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