Berhampur: A fast track court in Phulbani on Thursday sentenced a 28-year-old man to 20 years of imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl two years ago in Kandhamal district.The judgement was delivered after recording statements of 24 witnesses, including police and the medical officer, and on the basis of medical reports and seized articles.According to sources, the accused, a resident of a village near that of the survivor’s, allegedly took her to a kendu leaf godown and raped her after tying her hands. He also allegedly threatened her not to reveal the incident. The family did not approach police immediately due to fear and social stigma. The survivor later lodged an FIR on Sept 18, 2025, after he again allegedly threatened her.Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the BNS and Pocso Act and arrested the accused. He has been in jail since his arrest as his bail pleas were rejected by the court, sources said.
