Overview

• In Berhampur, Special POCSO Court convicted 30-year-old Rohit Naik of raping a 9-year-old in January 2023 and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, fined him ₹5,000 and ordered ₹10.5 lakh in compensation by the District Legal Services Authority with failure to pay the fine triggering an extra six months behind bars.
• In Balurghat, a special court found an unnamed teacher guilty under Section 10 of the POCSO Act and Section 354A(1) of the IPC for sexually assaulting four minor tribal girls in 2018, handing down six years of rigorous imprisonment, a ₹10,000 fine and ₹50,000 in victim compensation plus an additional year if the fine is unpaid.
• In Budaun, Mahendra Kumar was convicted of raping a 5-year-old in February 2023 and received a 20-year rigorous imprisonment term alongside a ₹20,000 fine.
• Judges in all three cases relied decisively on child survivors’ testimony and supporting evidence under specific POCSO and IPC provisions to secure convictions and reinforce deterrence against offences involving minors.
• The swift resolutions reflect the judiciary’s use of fast-track POCSO courts to expedite hearings, impose stringent penalties and guarantee survivor rehabilitation through mandated compensation.