Jharsuguda: A local court in Jharsuguda has found 14 women guilty in connection with a 23-year-old case involving assault and public humiliation in the Laikera region, marking the end of a prolonged criminal trial that began in 2003.
On June 26, 2026, the Court of the Senior Civil Judge (Women’s Court)-cum-JMFC in Jharsuguda issued its ruling, with the order being made public on Friday. The defendants were convicted under Sections 341, 323, 354, and 355 in conjunction with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but were acquitted of charges under Section 294 IPC.
The court imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on each convict rather than imposing a custodial sentence. All of the accused women, aged between their 30s and 70s, attended the court for the verdict and are currently on bail.
As per the prosecution, the incident occurred on March 28, 2003, when the accused allegedly entered the residence of a couple within the Laikera police jurisdiction, following an earlier dispute, and subjected them to assault and public humiliation.
The victims reported that they were stripped, adorned with footwear as garlands, and compelled to walk through the village with their faces blackened in broad daylight. A formal complaint was filed on the same day, leading Laikera police to register a First Information Report (FIR) on March 30, 2003.
Authorities indicated that all accused, including some who were minors at the time of the incident, were arrested on April 5, 2003, but were released on bail shortly afterward by the then inspector-in-charge of the Laikera police station.
The charge sheet for this case was submitted on July 17, 2003, but formal charges were only established on November 15, 2025, resulting in a delay of over twenty years. The trial itself began roughly seven months ago.
Usharani Majhi, Assistant Director (Prosecution) in Jharsuguda, who oversaw the case, noted that while the investigation was completed promptly, the delay occurred during the charge framing stage. She stated, “Investigation was completed on time. The delay occurred after the filing of the charge sheet and before the commencement of the trial. Framing of charges lies within the jurisdiction of the court.”
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra expressed his support for the verdict, asserting that justice, although delayed, has finally been served. He remarked, “Even after more than two decades, the criminal justice system has ensured accountability. The conviction reflects the importance of a fair, impartial, and evidence-based investigation.”
This verdict signifies the conclusion of a 23-year legal struggle, highlighting the justice system’s ability to ultimately resolve a long-standing criminal case in Jharsuguda.
