Justice Served: Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Assaulting Young Boy

Severe Punishment for Disturbing Crime

Baripada: In a significant ruling, a local court in Mayurbhanj district has sentenced a 25-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old boy.

The decision was made by Judge Santosh Kumar Nayak at the Fast Track Special Court, operating under the POCSO Act.

Additionally, the court has imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convicted individual, Raghunath Murmu. Should he fail to pay this amount, he will face an additional year in prison.

The court has also instructed the Secretary of the Mayurbhanj District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide Rs 1 lakh as compensation to the victim's family. This ruling was based on the victim's testimony, five witnesses, and medical evidence, as stated by Special Public Prosecutor Manaranjan Pattnaik. The assault occurred on January 12, 2025, while the child was home alone.

Reports indicate that Murmu enticed the boy with chocolates before taking him to a nearby forest where the assault took place.