A special POCSO court in Ranchi has sentenced Umendra Kumar, also known as Umendra Rai, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for abducting a minor girl and repeatedly raping her. Additionally, the court has imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on the convict, with a warning of further imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
The crime occurred in the Doranda police station area of Ranchi in 2023. According to prosecution documents, the incident took place on August 13, 2023. The 15-year-old victim was lured away by the accused while she was out to have pizza at Hinoo Chowk and was taken to a secluded place.
The accused then held the victim captive in a rented house in Tupudana for several days, where he repeatedly raped her against her will. The victim, threatened by the accused whenever she tried to resist or contact her family, managed to escape and inform her family about the ordeal, leading to the registration of a case.
The fast-track trial in this sensitive case was completed by the special court on May 19, with Rai being convicted on that day. The sentencing, however, was scheduled for May 25. The court found Umendra Rai guilty based on the victim’s statement, medical report, and other evidence presented by the prosecution.
Rai, who has been in judicial custody since his arrest on August 18, 2023, was produced before the POCSO court via video conferencing from Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi during the sentencing, for security reasons.
