Bargarh: A man was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) by POCSO court today for raping a minor girl in 2018 in Bargarh district. Hearing the rape case, the Judge imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh in addition to imprisonment.

The convict identified as Dagar Chhatar hails from Badagaon village under Barpali police limits.

Dagar would undergo imprisonment for 1 year more, in case the fine amount is not paid.

According to an official source, the convict Dagar forcibly outraged the minor girl’s modesty, taking advantage of loneliness.

Based on an FIR previously lodged by the rape survivor’s family, a case was registered against Dagar under Sections 376(3), 4 of IPC and the POCSO Act, and a detailed probe was initiated.

Notably, the POCSO court ordered the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to pay compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the rape victim.