DNA test helps to secure man’s 20-yr jail for raping teen

Kendrapada: A DNA test proved crucial in convicting a 41-year-old man for raping a minor girl, with a fast-track Pocso court in Jajpur district sentencing him to 20 years of imprisonment on Wednesday.
The man was found guilty of repeatedly raping the 16-year-old girl in 2019, resulting in the birth of a child in Jan 2020. The breakthrough in the case came when DNA testing at the State Forensic Science Laboratory conclusively established him as the biological father of the child.
"DNA tests have proven to be an effective tool for investigation and establishing proof of guilt," stated judge Sarat Kumar Dehuri in his ruling. The test was ordered after the accused denied any involvement in the rape case and refused to acknowledge paternity of the child.
The case came to light when the girl's mother noticed physical changes in her daughter and filed an FIR on Aug 13, 2019. The accused, who was the girl's neighbour, had allegedly threatened the minor with dire consequences if she revealed the assault to anyone.
In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict, with a provision for an additional two-year sentence if he defaults. The court also directed Odisha State Legal Services Authority to provide a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the girl and Rs 4 lakh to her five-year-old son.
Special public prosecutor Parthasarathi Ray said the conviction was secured based on the DNA report, medical evidence, and testimony from 15 witnesses, including the girl. The accused was charged under Section 376 (2) (m) of the IPC and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.