The Special POCSO Court in Jharsuguda, Odisha, on June 28, 2025, sentenced Ajay Singh, 30, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his neighbour’s six-year-old daughter.
The conviction was recorded under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012 — which covers aggravated penetrative sexual assault — and Section 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, according to reports by OrissaPost and Pragativadi.
Background: How We Got Here
The offence took place on June 22, 2025, in the Banharpali police station area of Jharsuguda district. Singh, a resident of Pumphousepada, IB Thermal, under Banharpali police station, is identified as the son of Jayakrushna Singh.
Police registered the FIR three days later, on June 25, 2025, as Banharpali PS Case No. 128. The case was taken up before the Special POCSO Court as C.T. (Spl.) Case No. 50 of 2025, presided over by Judge Puja Sarangi, Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court Judge, as reported by ETV Bharat.
- The assault was committed on June 22, 2025, against a six-year-old girl who was the convict’s neighbour’s daughter, per Pragativadi.
- The FIR was registered on June 25, 2025, under Banharpali PS Case No. 128, as confirmed by OrissaPost.
- Judgment was pronounced on June 28, 2025 — just six days after the offence — by the Special POCSO Court, Jharsuguda.
The Ruling — Key Findings
Judge Puja Sarangi found Ajay Singh guilty of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, and under Section 65(2) of the BNS, 2023, according to OrissaPost.
The prosecution’s case rested on medical reports and witness testimonies, both of which confirmed Singh’s involvement, as reported by Pragativadi.
The court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, to be paid directly to the victim. Failure to pay would result in an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment, per OrissaPost.
Notably, the court did not award a separate sentence under BNS Section 65(2), in view of the applicable POCSO provisions, as confirmed by Pragativadi.
The period already spent in undertrial custody was ordered to be set off against the total sentence, according to OrissaPost and Pragativadi.
In a significant step toward victim rehabilitation, the court recommended Rs 8 lakh compensation under the NALSA Victim Compensation Scheme.
This amount is to be deposited in an interest-bearing fixed deposit in a nationalised bank, held in the victim’s name until she attains majority, as reported by Pragativadi.
Reactions & What’s Next
No statements from defence counsel or the convict’s family have been reported in the verified sources at the time of writing.
The rapid conclusion of proceedings — from offence to conviction in six days — underscores the effectiveness of fast-track Special POCSO Courts established across India to ensure timely justice in child sexual assault cases.
The NALSA compensation recommendation, if implemented, will provide the victim with a financial safety net accessible upon reaching adulthood, offering a measure of long-term security alongside the criminal verdict.
Full coverage: OrissaPost. More legal news at The Courtroom.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change or vary by case — consult a qualified lawyer before acting. The Courtroom is not liable for any reliance on this content.
