Bhubaneswar POCSO Court Sentences Man to 20 Years, Just Six Months After FIR

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Bhubaneswar POCSO Court conviction resulted in 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for Baya Sahoo.
The court imposed a ₹30,000 fine and awarded ₹6 lakh compensation to the minor victim.
Police filed the charge sheet just five days after registering the case.

BHUBANESWAR: The Special Court (POCSO) in Bhubaneswar has convicted Baya Sahoo in a child sexual offence case and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, marking a significant outcome in a case investigated and prosecuted within a relatively short period.

The judgment was delivered on August 20 in Chandaka Police Station Case No. 88, registered on February 12, 2026. The court also imposed a ₹30,000 fine, with additional imprisonment applicable if the fine is not paid.

The court further directed that ₹6 lakh be paid as compensation to the minor victim through the District Legal Services Authority, Khurda at Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar POCSO Court Conviction Follows Fast Investigation

The case moved quickly from registration to trial.

Police registered the FIR on February 12 and submitted the charge sheet on February 17, only five days later. Charges were framed on February 25, while evidence proceedings began the following day.

The investigation included witness examinations, preparation of the spot map, arrest of the accused, seizure of relevant articles and biological exhibits, medical examinations and forwarding of samples to the State Forensic Science Laboratory.

The victim’s statement was also recorded under the applicable provisions of the BNSS.

Bhubaneswar POCSO Court Relies on Multiple Evidence Sources

During the trial, the court examined 10 prosecution witnesses, including the minor victim, family members, medical officers and investigating officers.

The court relied on the victim’s evidence along with corroborating witness accounts and medical evidence before concluding that the prosecution had established the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The conviction was recorded under Section 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act.

Bhubaneswar Police Investigation Completed in Six Months

The investigation was initially conducted by SI Jyotsna Rani Pradhan of Chandaka Police Station. It was later transferred to IIC Samita Mishra following directions from the DCP, Bhubaneswar.

Mishra completed the investigation and submitted the charge sheet.

Jagmohan Meena, IPS, DCP, Bhubaneswar, supervised the investigation, while Subrat Priyadarshi, Special Public Prosecutor (POCSO), represented the prosecution.

The case reached judgment approximately six months after the FIR was registered. The quick filing of the charge sheet reduced the time between the alleged offence, investigation and commencement of judicial proceedings.