Man who raped minor girl convicted within 37 days
In a historic and speedy judgment, the Special Judge Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)-cum 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Khurda at Bhubaneswar convicted a man accused of raping a minor girl within 37 days.
Bhubaneswar: In a historic and speedy judgment, the Special Judge Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)-cum 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Khurda at Bhubaneswar convicted a man accused of raping a minor girl within 37 days.
Subhanjan Mohanty, the Special Judge (POCSO) pronounced the judgment of conviction within 37 days from the date of registration of the case in a rape and aggravated sexual assault case in TR Case No 504/2025 arising out of Chandaka PS Case No 347 dt 02.09.2025.
The convict Muna Behera has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for 20 years and to pay fine of Rs 5000 in default of which to undergo RI for 1 year.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to pay a compensation of six lakh rupees to the victim by the court.
Special Public Prosecutor Subrat Priyadarshini had conducted the case under active monitoring of Hemant Kumar Swain, the Deputy Director, Prosecution, Bhubaneswar.
It is noteworthy that on August 31, 2025 (Sunday), when the complainant was not present at home, his minor daughter, aged about 13 years, went to her neighbour’s house to celebrate Khudurukuni Osa. However, as she did not return home for a long time, her mother searched for her and later found her. During interrogation, the minor girl initially hesitated to reveal anything. After further explanation, she revealed that the accused Muna Behera had committed a serious indecent act with her. After the incident, the accused threatened her of dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Out of fear, the victim remained silent for some time. Later, her father filed an FIR at Chandaka police station for necessary legal action against the accused.
Based on the complaint of the complainant, a case was registered at Chandaka Police Station, Bhubaneswar under Section 65(1) BNS, Case No. 347, dated 02.09.2025 and Sub-Inspector Jyotsna Rani Pradhan was given the responsibility of investigation. The investigating officer investigated the case from various angles and arrested Muna Behera on September 3, 2025 and filed a charge sheet against him in the court on September 10, 2025. The evidence was filed in the Court on September 12, 2025 and the trial started on September 23, 2025.
After hearing the above case, the Court has concluded the trial in a total of 37 days by recording the statements of 9 witnesses related to the incident, examining 17 items and studying 50 relevant documents. Today, the Court in its judgment sentenced Muna Behera to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 20 years along with a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and in default of payment of fine, an additional 1 year rigorous imprisonment.
