What Led to a Death Sentence for a Man in Odisha in a Gruesome Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The accused was sentenced to death for the brutal crime.
- The victim was only six years old.
- The incident occurred in November 2024.
- The court examined extensive evidence before reaching a verdict.
- The victim's family received financial compensation.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 6 (NationPress) A Special POCSO court in Bargarh district, Odisha, has condemned a man to death after he was found guilty of the heinous crime of raping and murdering a six-year-old girl in the Paikmal region back in November 2024.
On the morning of November 15, 2024, around 9 a.m., the young girl and her grandfather were at home when the accused, identified as Prashanta Bag (21), lured the victim under the pretense of going fishing. Bag, accompanied by two other minors, took the girl to a nearby water body,” stated Dyutish Acharya, the special Public Prosecutor overseeing the case.
Acharya further detailed that shortly after, Bag left the two other minors by the water and took the girl deeper into the jungle, where he sexually assaulted her. Fearing that she would disclose the crime, he brutally bludgeoned her to death and strangled her with a belt.
When the grandfather, who had gone to harvest paddy, returned hours later, he found Bag in his house with blood on his cheek. Upon questioning Bag about his granddaughter's whereabouts, he received evasive responses, with Bag claiming he had sent her away and did not know where she was.
The grandfather, along with villagers, began a search for the girl and ultimately discovered her lifeless body in the jungle, severely injured and with her neck tied with a belt. The community apprehended Bag and handed him over to the police. Following the grandfather's complaint, the Paikmal police initiated a case and arrested Bag on November 15, 2024.
After reviewing evidence from 37 prosecution witnesses, 55 documents, and 27 material items, the court delivered its verdict on Tuesday. Additionally, the family of the deceased was awarded a compensation of ₹15 lakh under the victim compensation scheme.