Justice Served: Landmark Verdict in Odisha's Kandhamal District

In a landmark ruling, a court in Odisha's Kandhamal district has sentenced a 19-year-old man to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for the sexual harassment of a 14-year-old girl.

The Fast Track Special Court in Phulbani, presided over by an Adhoc additional district & sessions judge, also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the convict. An additional year in prison will be added if the penalty is not paid, according to Kandhamal SP Harisha B C.

The court further decreed a compensation payment of Rs 2 lakh to the victim. Police records indicate that the crime took place on July 23 of the previous year, with the arrest of the perpetrator occurring on August 5, 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)