Phulbani - The Fast Track POCSO Court in Kandhamal district has sentenced 27-year-old Harmu Malik, son of Banamali Malik from Pangali village under Daringbadi police station, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹16,000 for raping a 14-year-old minor. The court also ordered the District Legal Aid office to provide ₹6 lakh as compensation to the victim. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 1 year and 9 months of imprisonment.
Judge Kailash Chandra Swain delivered the verdict based on the testimony of 17 witnesses and medical reports. The case was prosecuted by Special Public Prosecutor Banamali Behera on behalf of the government.
According to reports, the incident occurred on September 1, 2024, around 12 PM, when the minor was heading to Daringbadi market to buy clothes. The accused, Harmu Malik, lured her into an auto-rickshaw under the pretext of dropping her at the market. Instead, he forcibly took her to a jungle near Pangali, where he repeatedly raped her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident. He later dropped her near her village and fled.
The victim informed her family, who promptly took her to the Daringbadi police station to file a written complaint. The police registered a case (No. 144/2024) on the same day and assigned Sub-Inspector Lakshmi Majhi to investigate. The accused was arrested and presented in court following the investigation.
The verdict was pronounced today, September 12, 2025. The court’s swift action has been hailed as an example of the Fast Track Court’s efficiency. A family member of the victim stated, “This is a victory for justice. More awareness and stronger measures are needed to protect minors.”
This case is expected to raise public awareness about the safety of minors.
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