Acid attack on Pramodini Roul: Two including prime accused awarded 14 years RI

A court in Jagatsinghpur district on Monday convicted two persons in the sensational acid attack case on Pramodini Roul and sentenced them to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. 

The court of the assistant sessions judge (Women's Court), Jagatsinghpur found Santosh Bedant and Anil Dalasinghray guilty in the case and pronounced the verdict. 

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the two convicts.

Pramodini, a college girl from Kanakpur village under Tirtol police limits of Jagatsinghpur district, was attacked with acid on April 18, 2009 when she was on her way home with her brother. 

Santosh Bedant, who was an army jawan, had thrown acid on the face of Roul for reportedly refusing his proposal. The acid attack had left Pramodini blind (80%). 

Eight years after the acid attack, Jagatsinghpur police had arrested Bedant from a hideout in Kolkata.     

Meanwhile, Pramodini tied the knot with the love of her life, Saroj Kumar Sahu in 2021. 

Speaking to OTV after the pronouncement of the verdict, Pramodini said though she honour the court's verdict, she is not satisfied with the punishment given to the two accused.

She said that the duo must get stringent punishment and remain in jail throughout their lives. 

On the judgement, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Pramodini's husband, said, “Today we saw the accused duo showing no signs of remorse or fear as if the quantum of punishment is nothing to them. We will try to go to higher court pleading for stringent punishment for the accused so that miscreants like them would think twice before resorting to such barbaric act.”