Justice Served: Life Sentence for Man Convicted of Raping Blind Minor in Odisha

Life Imprisonment for Disturbing Crime in Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda: A special POCSO court in Odisha's Jharsuguda district has sentenced a 54-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a blind minor girl, an incident that occurred in May.

On May 2, the victim, who is visually impaired, visited the home of her neighbor, Giridhari Naik, to watch television, a common activity for her. Taking advantage of the situation while his family was asleep, Naik forcibly assaulted her, threatening to kill her if she told anyone.

The following day, the girl confided in her father about the horrific incident, leading him to file a First Information Report (FIR) at the Rengali Police Station on May 6.

Local authorities acted swiftly, apprehending Naik on May 8. By May 28, the Jharsuguda Police had completed their investigation and submitted the chargesheet within just 22 days of the FIR.

The court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone by concluding the case within 99 days of the FIR being filed.

In a statement, the Odisha police highlighted this case as a significant achievement in ensuring women's safety and expediting justice, showcasing their commitment to effective investigation and trial monitoring under the new criminal justice framework.

The police also utilized advanced forensic methods, including DNA testing, to strengthen their case against the accused.

Additionally, the court has granted the victim a compensation of Rs 10,50,000 under The NALSA (Victim Compensation Scheme) Regulations, 2018.