Sambalpur: A POCSO Court in Odisha’s Sambalpur district has sentenced a man to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl in the Mahulpali police jurisdiction.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on convict Anil Samad while awarding the jail term for the heinous crime committed on April 27, 2024.
Incident Details
The incident occurred when the victim had gone to witness a dance programme with her family in the Mahulpali area. Anil sexually assaulted the minor girl in a nearby forest and abandoned her near his residence before fleeing the scene.
The survivor was found in critical condition and was first admitted to a nearby hospital before being transferred to VIMSAR in Burla, where she remained under treatment for approximately 15 days.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Following a written complaint lodged by the victim’s family, police arrested Anil and conducted a thorough investigation. The investigation team collected crucial forensic evidence, conducted a Test Identification (TI) Parade, ensured scientific evidence analysis, collected digital evidence, and maintained strict supervision at every stage of the process.
After 14 months of trial, the POCSO Court found Anil guilty and pronounced the sentence. The court also directed authorities to pay Rs 13.5 lakh as compensation to the victim.
District’s Track Record
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo 2013-batch , SP Sambalpur, highlighted the district’s recent success in securing convictions in women-related cases.
“In the last one month, we ensured conviction in five women-related cases in Sambalpur district. Of these, two cases resulted in 20-year sentences, one in a 30-year sentence, and the remaining two in 5-year sentences each,” said SP Bhamoo.
This case represents the district police’s commitment to swift and effective action in crimes against women and children, demonstrating the importance of thorough investigation and proper evidence collection in securing justice for victims.
