Bhubaneswar: A court in Odisha has sentenced the prime accused to life imprisonment in connection with the 2017 murder of a 15-year-old girl who was set ablaze in Kalahandi district, following an investigation by the State Crime Branch.
The Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court convicted Tumeswar Das alias Bulu under Sections 302/34 of the IPC and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for life, the Crime Branch said on Tuesday.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh, with an additional one-year rigorous imprisonment in default of payment, and awarded further punishment under Sections 452/34 of the IPC. The total fine of Rs 1.10 lakh has been directed to be paid to the victim’s parents as compensation.
According to the Crime Branch, the incident occurred on January 11, 2017, in Narla area of Kalahandi district. The accused and a child in conflict with law (CCL) had allegedly passed obscene remarks at the minor girl. When her family protested, they were allegedly threatened.
Later that evening, the accused allegedly entered the victim’s house in the absence of her parents, gagged her, poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. The girl sustained about 95 per cent burn injuries and later died during treatment. The family was also allegedly threatened with eviction from the village.
Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, Narla Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on January 11, 2017.
The Crime Branch took over the investigation on January 14, 2017, and subsequently filed a chargesheet against six persons, including the prime accused and the CCL, after collecting evidence during the probe.
According to the Crime Branch, the Special Court, while pronouncing the verdict, described the crime as falling in the “rarest of rare” category before convicting the prime accused.
The agency said the conviction reflected the outcome of a scientific and comprehensive investigation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring justice in crimes against women and children.
