Man gets life term for raping stepdaughter; mom jailed for hiding truth

Jharsuguda: Special Pocso judge Puja Sarangi on Tuesday sentenced a 20-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping his four-year-old stepdaughter. The court also sentenced his 25-year-old wife — the survivor’s mother — to two years of rigorous imprisonment for trying to suppress the crime.According to the prosecution, the incident took place on June 27, 2025 when the child had gone with her stepfather to a market. After returning home, her mother noticed bite marks on the girl’s cheek, back and shoulder. When questioned, the man claimed the injuries were caused while she was playing with other children.On June 30, the child complained of pain in her private parts and when asked, she informed her mother about the rape. Her mother took her to the district headquarters hospital for treatment but refused to lodge an FIR. Childline officials, after learning about the case, informed the police, who then registered a case and began an investigation.During the probe, police found that the mother had threatened the child not to reveal the truth, allegedly to protect her husband.