Balasore: Special Court POSCO Judge Ajanta Sadangi on Thursday convicted a man accused of rape and murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment According to the prosecution, the convict identified as Pradeep Kumar Acharya, 24, resident of village Chaulachuda under Sadar police station limits, had committed the offence on a 15 year old minor girl of Raghunathpali. The victim was then studying in first year plus two Arts in a College on December,10,2014 .
Police said the victim girl was pregnant, and the accused killed her when she insisted on marriage.According to the special public prosecutor, POCSO court, Pranab Panda the accused had illicit affairs with the minor victim girl.
The judge while sentencing the accused to life imprisonment under various sections of law also awarded Rs 35,000 penalty and ordered to serve further 21 months jail term in default of the fine imposed on him.The court pronounced the award after cross examining 26 witnesses and going through 23 documents.
The convict brought the victim to Balasore assuring her to marry. He then strangulated her to death and hanged the body on a tree to create an impression that she had committed suicide by hanging.The accused was arrested by the police and later forwarded to court for trial after being booked under section,302 ,376(i), 6(i)(j)POCSO and 363and 34 of IPC .(UNI)