Ex-school headmaster gets 90 years’ imprisonment for sexual harassment of minor girls in Odisha

Sundargarh Additional District & Sessions Judge and Special POCSO Court on Wednesday sentenced an ex-headmaster to 90 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with multiple offenses of sexual exploitation of minor girls.

The convict has been identified as Debanand Patel who was the headmaster of a school at Raidihi under Lephripada Police Station in 2015.

As Patel has been sentenced to multiple jail terms, which will reportedly run concurrently, the convict will undergo a maximum 10 years of imprisonment. The Court has further ordered the convict to pay a fine of Rs 47,000. In case, the convict fails to pay the fine, he has to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment.

The Court has also directed the District Legal Service Authorities to pay compensation of Rs 28 lakh to as many as 11 victims.

“Considering the statements of 40 witnesses from the prosecution side, honourable judge of the POCSO Court has ordered 90 years of rigorous imprisonment to the convict. However, the convict will undergo a maximum of 10 years of jail term. The Court has further ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 47,000,” said government advocate, Debashis Mishra.