Jeypore: A POCSO court here on Tuesday sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a minor girl on the false promise of marriage.
The Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under POCSO Act, Jeypore, convicted Babula Hantala of Hatapada near Mathalput in Koraput district. He was also fined Rs 20,000.
The case relates to Damanjodi Police Station Case No. 24/2024 and 114/2021. The incident occurred in Mathalput area on February 2, 2024.
After examining evidence and testimonies of 9 witnesses, the court found Hantala guilty under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
The court ruled that in default of payment of fine, the convict will undergo an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
The court also directed the government to pay Rs 3,50,000 compensation to the victim through the District Legal Services Authority, along with the fine amount collected.
Special Public Prosecutor P. Sanyasi Rao represented the state in the case.