Death Sentence for Man Convicted of Rape and Murder of 4-Year-Old in Odisha
Synopsis
In a shocking case from Odisha, a court has sentenced a 40-year-old man to death for the heinous rape and murder of a young girl. This brutal crime has sent ripples through the community, raising urgent discussions about child safety and justice.
Key Takeaways
Babula Jena sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a minor.
Incident occurred in Angul district of Odisha.
Extensive searches led to the recovery of the victim's body.
The court found the accused guilty based on strong evidence.
Compensation of Rs 10 lakh ordered for the victim's family.
Bhubaneswar, April 10 (NationPress) In a landmark ruling, an Angul district court in Odisha has handed down a death sentence to a 40-year-old man for the horrific rape and murder of a 4-year 10-month-old girl, an incident that transpired in the Nisha Industrial Police Station jurisdiction in 2025.
The perpetrator, Babula Jena, hails from Dehury Sahi in Jereng village, located within the Jarpada police area of Angul district.
The Special POCSO Court convicted him under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically sections 137(2), 103(1), 65(2), and 238(a), along with Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
According to reports, on March 13, 2025, the young victim disappeared while playing in front of her home. Despite search efforts by her family and neighbors, she was untraceable. Her father filed a missing report with the Industrial Police Station the following day. Sadly, her body was discovered on March 15, 2025, beneath a Mahua tree close to her home, as stated by Angul Police in a press release on Friday.
After the body was recovered, it was sent for a postmortem, which determined that the cause of death was strangulation, with evidence suggesting forcible penetrative sexual assault.
Local residents raised suspicions regarding Babula's involvement, noting he was in the vicinity when the victim was last seen.
Babula Jena was arrested on March 17, 2025, just four days post-incident, and was brought before the court by March 18, 2025. Investigation revealed that Babula had abducted the child, taken her to his residence, and subjected her to brutal rape before ultimately strangling her and hiding her body nearby.
Following a thorough review of evidence, including witness testimonies and medical reports, the court found him guilty and delivered the sentence on Friday.
The court has directed the Angul District Legal Services Authority to ensure that the victim's family receives a compensation of Rs 10 lakh. The prosecution was represented by Dillip Kumar Das, serving as the Special Public Prosecutor.
Point of View
Aiming to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. It also raises critical questions about community vigilance and the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the crime committed?
A 40-year-old man was convicted of the rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl in Odisha.
What was the sentence given?
The court sentenced the man to death for his crimes.
When did the incident occur?
The incident occurred on March 13, 2025.
What compensation was awarded to the victim's family?
The court ordered a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim's family.
Who represented the prosecution?
Dillip Kumar Das served as the Special Public Prosecutor in this case.
