Odisha youth gets death penalty for raping, murdering minor girl in 2018

Baripada: The Baripada Additional District and Sessions Judge court today awarded death penalty to a youth accused of raping and murdering an eight-year-old girl in Betnoti area in Mayurbhanj district in 2018.

The court pronounced the death sentence for the accused, Jaminikanta Mahanta on the basis of the testimony of 27 witnesses and medical reports.

According to reports, on June 16, 2018, Jaminikanta of Gaudabasa village lured the victim on the pretext of teaching her cycling and taking her to a swing festival. Locals said the accused took the victim to a nearby forest and raped her. He later murdered the girl to eliminate evidence.

Police arrested Jaminikanta and filed a chargesheet in the court within 17 days on the basis of a scientific report, DNA report and circumstantial evidences.

Government counsel Abhimanyu Patnaik said, “Based on the testimony of witnesses and medical reports, the court has pronounced the verdict.”

Lawyer of the accused, Ranjit Kumar Das said his client would move the higher court against the order of the ADJ court.