Phulbani, Apr 21: In a significant verdict, a Fast Track POCSO Court in Phulbani sentenced an accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a rape case involving a 13-year-old minor in Kandhamal district.

The convict, identified as Bapi Pradhan, was also fined Rs 20,000. The court directed that in case of non-payment of the fine, he would have to undergo an additional two years of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, the incident took place in 2025 under the jurisdiction of Daringbadi Police Station. The minor girl was alone at home when the accused allegedly lured her to a nearby forest on the pretext of buying slippers from the market. He then sexually assaulted her, and later warned her against disclosing the incident.

The survivor later informed her parents, who were working in Kerala, over a phone call. Following this, her aunt lodged a written complaint at the local police station.

Acting on the complaint, police registered a case, arrested the accused and forwarded him to court. After examining all the evidence and witness testimonies, the court delivered the conviction and imposed stringent punishment.

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The court further directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the survivor.

Based on the complaint, Daringbadi police registered a case and arrested the accused, Bapi Pradhan, later produced him before the court.

According to Public Prosecutor Rajkumar Behera, the Fast Track POCSO Court in Phulbani delivered the stringent sentence after considering all evidence and witness testimonies in the case.