LPhulbani, October 27, 2025: The Fast Track POCSO Court in Phulbani, presided over by Judge Kailash Chandra Swain, has sentenced 19-year-old Ritik Digal to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old minor. The court also imposed a fine of ₹20,000, with an additional two years of imprisonment in case of non-payment. Ritik Digal, son of Lakshman Digal, hails from Sainpada village under Phulbani Sadar police station in Kandhamal district.
The verdict was based on the testimony of 17 witnesses and medical reports. The case was prosecuted by Special Public Prosecutor Banamali Behera on behalf of the state.
According to reports, the victim, a Class 10 student at A.J.O. High School in Phulbani, was lured by the accused with promises of marriage and subjected to repeated sexual assaults at various locations. On November 21, 2024, the accused took the victim to his uncle’s house on a motorcycle and assaulted her again. When the victim did not return home, her father searched for her and, unable to find her, lodged a kidnapping complaint at Phulbani Town police station. The case, registered as number 259/21.11.2024, was investigated by Sub-Inspector Manoranjana Bhoi, who arrested the accused and produced him in court.
The court also directed the District Legal Aid Authority to provide ₹5 lakh as compensation to the victim. The judgment is seen as a significant step in addressing crimes against minors.
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