ଦୁଷ୍କର୍ମକାରୀଙ୍କୁ ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ଜେଲ୍ | POCSO Court Verdict in Sundargarh | Odisha News

September 01, 2026, 09:33 AM IST

Sundargarh, Odisha – The Sundargarh Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Court on Tuesday delivered a decisive verdict in a minor rape case dating back to 2020, sentencing the accused, Rajesh Kishan, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The judgment was pronounced at 09:33 AM IST by the Special POCSO Court functioning under the jurisdiction of the Bonai police station limits.

The conviction stems from an incident reported in 2020 when the survivor, a minor at the time, was subjected to sexual assault by Kishan. The case was registered under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, following a complaint filed by the victim’s family with the Bonai Police. After a thorough investigation, the matter was chargesheeted and placed before the Special POCSO Court for trial.

In addition to the rigorous imprisonment, the court imposed a monetary fine of ₹20,000 on the convict. The judgment explicitly stated that in the event of non-payment of the fine, an additional one-year jail term would be imposed consecutively. The court also took into consideration the trauma and harm caused to the minor survivor and her family, directing the District Legal Services Authority to provide a compensation of ₹7 lakh to the victim’s family under Section 26 of the POCSO Act.

The sentencing was welcomed by legal experts and child rights activists across the state, who emphasized the importance of stringent action against offenders in cases involving minors. "This verdict sends a strong message that crimes against children will not be tolerated, and the judiciary remains committed to ensuring justice for survivors," commented a spokesperson from the Odisha State Legal Services Authority.

The victim’s family expressed their gratitude to the judiciary and the investigating agencies for their persistence in pursuing the case. “We hope this verdict brings us a sense of closure and ensures that no other family has to endure what we went through,” said a family member, requesting anonymity.

The case was closely monitored by child welfare organizations, and the timely intervention of the Special POCSO Court was praised by several legal practitioners. The conviction is viewed as a significant step toward reinforcing child safety and deterrence in the region.

This report is part of ongoing coverage by Kanak News, Odisha’s leading 24x7 news and current affairs channel under Eastern Media Limited. For continued updates on this case and other crime-related developments in the state, viewers are encouraged to watch the full report and stay connected through official platforms.

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What sentence did the court impose on Rajesh Kishan?

The court sentenced Rajesh Kishan to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. It also imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on him. The sentence relates to a minor rape case that dates back to 2020.

What financial penalties and compensation were ordered?

Alongside the fine, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide ₹7 lakh compensation to the victim’s family. The compensation amount was specified in the verdict. No other financial penalties were mentioned.

What happens if the fine is not paid?

The judgment states that if Rajesh Kishan fails to pay the ₹20,000 fine, he will serve an additional one‑year jail term. This extra term is to be imposed consecutively after the main sentence. No further conditions were mentioned in the source.