Utpal Roy was condemned to death by Judge Rana Dutta of the Bilaspur Additional and District Court Special Judge Division on Monday, marking the culmination of a three‑year legal saga that began with the abduction of a 4‑year‑old girl on September 4, 2023. The child was lured with promises of chocolate, sexually assaulted, and then murdered, a crime that prompted immediate police action and a chargesheet filed in March 2024.
The prosecution charged Roy with rape, murder, removal of evidence and giving false information, all under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Judge Dutta described the offence as the "rarest of rare" and, in addition to the death penalty, imposed a fine of ₹10,000, six months of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid, a five‑year rigorous imprisonment sentence for evidence tampering, a ₹4,000 fine for false statements, and a 20‑year imprisonment with a ₹50,000 fine for aggravated penetrative sexual assault, all running concurrently.
The case echoes a similar tragedy that occurred three years ago at the Krishnakali Tea Estate in Dhubri district, where a 4‑year‑old girl was also sexually assaulted and killed. Local tea workers and villagers have expressed deep sorrow and demanded stricter protection for children, arguing that such crimes reveal systemic lapses in community safety.
Judge Dutta’s verdict underscores the judiciary’s stance on child sexual violence and capital punishment, stating that the sentence sends a clear deterrent message. The decision will now be forwarded to the Gauhati High Court, where the convict’s appeal will be examined before any execution is carried out.
As the High Court schedules its hearing, the case continues to dominate local media, with community leaders urging the state government to strengthen law‑enforcement presence in tea estate villages.