Overview
- The Berhampur fast-track POCSO court, which ruled Thursday, sentenced Keshaba Nahak to death for the 2021 sexual assault and attempted murder of a 10-year-old.
- The court said the death sentence requires confirmation by the Orissa High Court before any execution can proceed.
- The judge added 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under attempted murder charges, five years under kidnapping, a ₹50,000 fine, and ₹5 lakh in state compensation for the child.
- In a separate ruling, the Sambalpur District and Sessions Court gave life sentences to seven people for a 2021 murder after hearing 23 witnesses and imposed ₹10,000 fines, while one accused was acquitted for lack of evidence.
- Coverage notes differ on the Ganjam assault date, with one report citing September 21, 2021 and another November 21, 2021, though both describe luring the child and a later attempt to strangle her.