Keonjhar: A fast-track court in Keonjhar on Friday sentenced a 35-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 17,000 on him for raping a 16-year-old girl. On default in payment of fine, he will have to undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment.According to special public prosecutor Patitapaban Natha, the minor girl went missing on Dec 29, 2024. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, Sadar police registered a case on Dec 30 and launched an investigation.Police later traced the girl and arrested the accused based on her statement. Investigation revealed that the accused was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship with the girl’s mother. Taking advantage of the situation, he allegedly abducted the girl and raped her in a rented house.During the trial, the prosecution examined eight witnesses and submitted documentary evidence. Relying on the evidence presented and police investigation report, the court convicted the accused and awarded the sentence.The court also directed the district legal services authority to pay compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the victim under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
