Jagatsinghpur: The ADJ court awarded death penalty to one Laba Manna alias Kalia on Tuesday in connection with the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Ersama area in Jagatsinghpur district in 2018.
As per reports, Kalia had allegedly raped the minor girl after kidnapping her on March 20, 2018. Later, he tried to destroy evidence by killing the girl and dumping her body in a cashew orchard.
Based on the complaint filed by the minor girl’s family, police had subsequently arrested Kalia from Cuttack while he was trying to escape following the incident.
“From framing of charges to recording of statements of 25 witnesses, adequate steps were taken to ensure that the case reached its logical conclusion,” said special public prosecutor, Siba Prasad Majhi.
Meanwhile, the family of the minor girl have expressed satisfaction over the court’s verdict.
“We had faith on the judiciary. Today’s pronouncement of the judgement will act as a deterrent and play a crucial role in putting a check on the atrocities and crime against children,” said the father of the deceased girl.