Baripada, Jan 28: A POCSO court in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday sentenced a 38-year-old man to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment for raping a 63-year-old woman in 2022. The judgment was delivered by Additional District Judge and Special Fast-Track POCSO Court Judge Santosh Kumar Nayak.

The convict, identified as Jisunath Hembram alias Jisu of Tilposhi village under Moroda police station, was also fined Rs 10,000. In case of default, he will undergo an additional six months of imprisonment. The court further directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the survivor.

According to police records, the incident occurred on September 2, 2022, when the woman was returning home after attending a funeral ceremony. Hembram allegedly dragged her into a bush near Mododa police station area and raped her. The survivor lodged a complaint at Mododa police station on September 8, leading to the registration of Case No. 235/2022.

Police arrested the accused the following day, September 9, and produced him before the court. The trial was conducted under the supervision of Special Public Prosecutor Manaranjan Pattnaik, who presented evidence and witnesses to the testimonies that led to the conviction.

The court observed that crimes against women, particularly elderly victims, must be dealt with sternly to ensure justice and deterrence. The judgment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting vulnerable sections of society and upholding the rule of law.

Also Read: Five Injured In Bhubaneswar Bomb Explosion, Police Investigation Begins

The survivor is expected to receive compensation through the District Legal Services Authority, as directed by the court, to aid her rehabilitation.

The verdict has been welcomed by rights activists and legal experts, who said it sends a strong message against sexual violence and reinforces accountability under the POCSO Act and related provisions of criminal law.