Kendrapada: After convicting a 58-year-old man for his involvement in the gang rape of a minor girl in 2023, the Kendrapada Additional District and Sessions Judge and Special POCSO Court has sentenced him to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The court, presided over by Judge Pragya Paramita Raul, also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the convict, Gaurang Sethi of Sankrupa village under Pattamundai Rural police limits. In case of default in payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional one-year imprisonment.

According to the case details, the minor girl was returning home from Babar Bazar in 2023 when the accused allegedly intercepted her and took her to a house. The accused and his associates allegedly assaulted her and threatened to kill her family if she disclosed the incident.

Around six months after the incident, the girl fell ill and was taken to a hospital for medical examination, where she was found to be six months pregnant.

Following this, the victim’s family lodged a written complaint at Pattamundai Rural police station on September 9, 2023. A case was registered under Case No. 481/23.

During the trial, the court examined 17 witnesses and found Sethi guilty under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court subsequently awarded him 25 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The trials of two other accused in the case are still pending, while another accused is reportedly absconding.
Considering the victim’s mental trauma and rehabilitation needs, the court also directed ₹10 lakh be provided to her as compensation through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).