Sundargarh: While convicting two men for abducting and sexually assaulting a minor girl in Talsara area on April last year, the Special POCSO Court in Sundargarh has sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Special POCSO Court Judge Gyanaranjan Pattnaik convicted Ankit Apat and Lulendu Naik alias Lulu, sentencing each to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹30,000.

The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide ₹10 lakh in compensation to the survivor.

According to the case details, the minor girl was returning home walking with her friends at around 2 a.m. after attending a feast. The accused allegedly forced her into a Bolero vehicle, while her friends fled out of fear.

The prosecution alleged the two accused sexually assaulted the girl inside the vehicle and later took her to a forested area, where she was allegedly assaulted again.

The survivor subsequently managed to escape and approached the police. During the probe, police identified the Bolero vehicle and detained three accused. Two adults were arrested and produced before the court, while a minor accused was sent to a juvenile correction home in Rourkela. The survivor identified the accused during a test identification parade.

The investigating officer filed the charge sheet within 60 days. A scientific team collected evidence and conducted DNA tests involving the survivor and the accused, with the findings submitted before the court.

On basis of the charge sheet, medical and scientific reports, DNA evidence and testimonies of 28 witnesses, the court delivered the verdict. The trial of the other accused, who is a minor, is still pending.

The case was conducted by Special Public Prosecutor Prabhat Kumar Nanda.