Court awards 38 years RI to man for raping minor

The Fast Track Court, Jeypore on Tuesday convicted a rape accused and sentenced him to undergo 38 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI).

Pronouncing the judgement, additional district sessions judge also slapped a penalty of Rs 40,000 on the convict identified as Sushant Kandapan of Sana Gadabalasa Colony under Bandhu Gaon police limits of Koraput district.

Besides, the court also ordered the convict to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh through District Legal Services Authority to the victim.

According to the case registered in 2017, the victim (minor) was returning home from tuition when Sushant intercepted her on the way and assaulted her before trying to kidnap her. As the victim shouted for help, a large number of crowds gathered. However, Sushant managed to flee the scene.

Later, in a fit of vengeance, Sushant abducted her and took her to jungle where he raped her. Apart from taking pictures of the victim, he had made a video using those pictures.

The judge convicted Sushant after hearing statement of 13 witnesses in this regard.

Public prosecutor Gayatri Devi said, “Sushant had taken her to jungle on the pretext of dropping her at her place. He later raped her and took her obscene pictures. He started blackmailing the girl and kept raping her several time. His acquaintances also raped the girl threatening her to leak her nude pictures if she did not agree.”

“When the victim wanted to tell her parents, Sushant threatened him to throw acid on her and kill her parents. The court convicted Sushant after hearing statement of the victim and 13 others,” added Gayatri Devi.