Bargarh: Even as the Union Cabinet cleared an ordinance for death penalty to child rapists, Bargarh Additional District Judge Court on Saturday sentenced the accused in the sensational minor rape case of November 30, 2014, to life imprisonment.
Additional District Judge Pranab Kumar Patra found Paradeshi Sahu guilty of the heinous act.
A complaint was lodged at Bargarh town police station by the victim’s parents alleging that Pranab, a neighbour, allegedly raped their three-year-old daughter. The incident took place at Ghulipali village in the district.
A case was then registered under Section 354. 376, 342, 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act. Sub-inspector of police Swapnil Sucharita Sahu was the investigating officer.
Police later recognised it as a Red Flag and the home department appointed senior lawyer Siris Ballav Mishra as the government advocate for the case.
Other advocates, including Budhadeb barik, Sugyanta Panigrahi and Apramit Mishra, extended their support in management of the case.
After examining the witnesses in the case, the court awarded life term to Sahu.
