POCSO Court Delivers Stern Verdict: Life Imprisonment for Man Who Raped 5-Year-Old

In a major judgment, the Special POCSO Court in Jeypore on Monday sentenced 30-year-old Narsingh Bhumia of Kusumi village to life imprisonment for the rape of a five-year-old girl in Kotpad area in May 2024.

The court found Bhumia guilty under multiple provisions, including Section 376AB of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which mandate life imprisonment for the rape of a child below 12 years. He was also convicted under Sections 366 (kidnapping) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC.

The verdict came after a detailed trial where the prosecution presented 17 witnesses and 24 documents as evidence. The court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a fine of ₹31,000. In case of default in payment, the convict will undergo an additional 13 months of rigorous imprisonment.

Importantly, the court directed that the fine, along with ₹7 lakh compensation, be paid to the victim through the District Legal Services Authority.

The incident took place on the evening of May 24, 2024, when the girl was playing outside with her sister. The accused lured her with the promise of ice cream, took her to an abandoned house, and assaulted her. He later left the child near her home and fled. The next day, the victim revealed the ordeal to her mother, who lodged a complaint at Kotpad police station.

The Kotpad police acted swiftly, arresting the accused and filing the chargesheet. The case was prosecuted on behalf of the State by Special Public Prosecutor Dr. Gayatri Devi.

Legal experts and child rights activists have welcomed the ruling, calling it a strong and timely enforcement of the POCSO Act and a step toward ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence.