Sambalpur: The Special POCSO Court on Saturday created a unique record after announcing its verdict in the sensational gang rape of a minor girl in just one month.
Announcing the verdict, Judge of the Special POCSO Court Udayabhanu Jena sentenced five accused, Afzal Raja alias Kartik, Tinu Sahu, Hadu Panchabiha alias Kaira, Asirbad Behera and Abhilash Panchabiha to life imprisonment under section 376 (ba) of the IPC and section 4 and 5 under POCSO Act, and slapped a penalty of Rs 50,000 each.
The court gave its verdict after hearing of the case which lasted for nearly 15 hours.
The incident had taken place on May 2 when the Class-IX minor girl of Sasan area had gone to a local market in evening. When she was returning home, a Class-X boy of her school detained her for conversation.
However, finding her alone, he dragged her to the verandah of a nearby school and raped. In the meanwhile, two local youths passing through the area saw the girl with the boy and threatened her to disclose the incident in the locality. Later, the duo forcibly took the girl in their bike and raped her in a secluded place. Then three friends of these two youths arrived at the place and took the girl to four places and rape her in turns.
Following a complaint lodged by the girl, the Sambalpur police took up the case on priority and arrested the five aforesaid accused including a juvenile and produced them in the court.
However, the victim with a fear of public shame committed suicide inside her rented house on May 23 while the case was on trial in the fast track court.
Meanwhile, counsel of the accused said he will move the Orissa High Court challenging the order of the lower court.
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