Jharsuguda: A special POCSO court in Jharsuguda Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping his four-year-old stepdaughter, while awarding two years’ rigorous imprisonment to the child’s mother for failing to report the crime. The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special POCSO Judge Pooja Sarangi in a case registered at Brajarajnagar Police Station. The court convicted the main accused, Pankaj Podh, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Podh was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000, with an additional one year rigorous imprisonment in case of a default in payment. Co-accused Anu Bag, the victim’s mother, was convicted under provisions of the BNS, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act for not reporting the offence despite having knowledge of it. She was sentenced to two years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place June 27, 2025, during Rath Yatra, when the accused took the child out on the pretext of showing her the festival and sexually assaulted her. The crime came to light the next day after the child complained of pain and was taken to hospital, where doctors informed police.
A case was registered June 30, and a chargesheet was filed promptly. Based on the evidence, the court convicted the main accused, Pankaj Podh, under Sections 65(2), 64(2)(f) and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 6(1) of the POCSO Act. The victim’s mother, Anu Bag, was convicted under Section 115(2) of the BNS, Section 21 of the POCSO Act and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
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