Teacher in Odisha receives 20-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a minor.

Bhubaneswar: A recent court ruling in Odisha's Cuttack district has brought justice to a young victim of sexual assault. The Fast Track Special Court, working under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, has found an Urdu teacher guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl and has sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The Ad Hoc Additional District and Sessions Judge of Cuttack, in a case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault, convicted Hafiz Nur Artaj, who worked as an Urdu teacher at Madrasa Sultania in Buxi Bazar, Cuttack.

In addition to the prison term, the court has also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to serve an additional year of rigorous imprisonment. The court has also directed the payment of Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the victim.

The Cuttack Commissionerate Police has stated that this conviction is a significant step towards ensuring justice for crimes against children. The case was registered at Cantonment Police Station on August 23, 2025, after a complaint was filed by the parent of a 12-year-old girl. Further investigation revealed that the accused, while teaching Urdu between August and December 2024, committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the child.

After the investigation was completed, Investigating Officer SI Motilal Marandi submitted the charge sheet on October 21, 2025, under Section 6 of the POCSO Act. The prosecution was handled by Special Public Prosecutor S.N. Das, whose efforts resulted in the conviction and sentencing of the accused on June 23.

This ruling serves as a reminder that justice will be served for crimes against children and that the law will not tolerate such heinous acts. UNI Orissa POST – Odisha's No.1 English Daily.