Raigarh: An important judicial decision has been issued. The District Court has convicted the accused in the Raigarh rape case and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The case is from the Kotra Road police station area, where a minor girl was raped after being lured into marriage.

According to reports, Vijay Jangde, alias Bijju (24), a resident of Litaipali village, lured a 16-year-old girl from her home in January 2025, promising to marry her. The victim's father filed a report at the Kotra Road police station on the morning of January 27, 2025, alleging that his daughter had not returned home after school. When a search in the neighborhood and among relatives failed to yield any clues, suspicions were raised that she had been lured away by an unknown youth.

The police registered a missing person case and began an investigation. During the investigation, they received information that the victim was in the village of Litaipali. Subsequently, on February 5th, the police recovered the minor and arrested the accused, Vijay Jangde. The victim's statement revealed that the accused had repeatedly engaged in physical relations with her under the pretext of marriage.

The accused confessed to his crime during the police investigation. A case was subsequently registered against him under sections 65(1), 87 BNS, and sections 4-6 of the POCSO Act, and he was presented in court. The Raigarh rape case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Devendra Sahu of the FTSC POCSO Court.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court sentenced the accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹6,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional four months' imprisonment. Additional Public Prosecutor Mohan Singh Thakur successfully argued the case.