Minor student raped, teacher jailed for 20 years

A special court here on Friday sentenced a private tutor to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping and blackmailing a minor student.
Special Judicial Court Judge Ravi Dahiya convicted the accused, identified as Adhir Chandra Das, under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Das, a resident of Rajnagar under the jurisdiction of Radhakishorepur Police Station, was a teacher at Bhagini Nivedita Higher Secondary School.
According to the prosecution, the victim had started taking private tuition from Das for Bengali and Education subjects in 2019. The accused lured her to his residence in Brahmabari, where he spiked her refreshments with an intoxicating substance and raped her. Das recorded the act on his mobile phone and subsequently used the footage to blackmail the minor.
The prosecution stated that the accused repeatedly assaulted the victim in isolated areas and forests. He also forcibly applied vermilion on her and threatened to kill her father and brother if she disclosed the matter.
Following the threats, the victim remained silent for a considerable period. However, in 2021, the victim and her family lodged a written complaint at the Radhakishorepur Women’s Police Station. Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Ripita Bhattacharjee subsequently arrested the accused and submitted a chargesheet in court.
During the trial, the court recorded the statements of seven witnesses. Special POCSO Public Prosecutor Paltu Das argued the case on behalf of the victim.