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Severe Punishment for Disturbing Crime

Berhampur: A POCSO court in Berhampur has sentenced a 59-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for engaging in unnatural sexual acts with a 16-year-old boy approximately two years ago, as reported by a government advocate.

The additional district judge, Pranati Pattnaik, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the offender, who is related to the victim, according to special public prosecutor Narayan Panda.

Should the convict fail to pay the fine, he will face an additional year in prison.

Furthermore, the court instructed the district legal services authority (DLSA) to provide Rs 50,000 in compensation to the victim, with the fine amount to be paid to the teen upon recovery.

The judgment was delivered after reviewing testimonies from nine witnesses, including police officers and medical professionals, Panda noted.

The prosecution stated that the accused had lured the minor to his residence on February 17, 2023, where the crime occurred on the first floor while family members were unaware on the ground floor.

The incident was revealed when the victim confided in his mother after experiencing health issues, leading her to file a First Information Report (FIR) the following day at Baidyanathpur police station.

The accused was arrested on the same day under various sections of the IPC and POCSO Act.

Since his arrest, he has remained in custody as his bail applications were denied by the court earlier.