A man in Odisha has been sentenced to death by a Special POCSO court in Bargarh district for the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in November 2024. The accused, identified as Prashanta Bag, lured the victim to go fishing with him along with two other minors. He then took the girl alone into the jungle, sexually assaulted her, and later brutally killed her to silence her.
The incident unfolded when the victim’s grandfather, who was harvesting in his paddy field, returned home to find the accused with blood on his cheek. Upon questioning, the accused gave vague responses about the girl’s whereabouts, raising suspicions. Subsequently, the girl’s body was discovered by villagers in a nearby jungle, with severe injuries and signs of strangulation with a belt. Bag was apprehended by the villagers and handed over to the police.
Following a thorough examination of evidence and witness statements, the court delivered its verdict, sentencing the perpetrator to death. Additionally, the deceased girl’s family was granted Rs 15 lakh as compensation under the victim compensation scheme.
