Cachar Rape Case During 2024 Durga Puja Finally Gets Justice a Year Later

The judgment in a brutal rape case during last year’s Durga Puja was announced by Cachar’s Additional Sessions Judge on Friday (September 26). This judgment sends a strong message against crimes targeting minors. The court of Additional Sessions Judge (Special Judge, POCSO) Narayan Kuri on Friday sentenced 31-year-old Rajdeep Das alias Joydeep, a resident of Madhura Madhupur Part II under Udharbond Police Station, to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old girl from Nagar Bagan, Cachar on the Mahanavami morning last year.

The crime took place on October 11, 2024, coinciding with Mahanavami of Durga Puja. At around 5 AM, the victim had gone for a morning walk with other friends of her age from the neighbourhood. As they reached near Section 17 of the Nagar Bagan tea estate, Rajdeep suddenly appeared, gagged the girl, and dragged her into the nearby jungle. Despite the alarm raised by the other children, they were unable to resist him.

Rajdeep then raped the minor inside the jungle and threatened to kill her if she spoke out. He fled immediately after the assault. The traumatised girl somehow managed to return home half-naked and narrated the incident to her family. Following this, an FIR was lodged at Udharbond Police Station the same day.

The investigation was led by Sub-Inspector Papuli Duarah. Rajdeep was soon arrested, and the case was taken up on priority. Police completed the probe quickly and filed a charge sheet on 31 October 2024. The court framed charges on 10 January 2025, and after a fast-track trial, delivered the verdict on 26 September 2025.

The convict was found guilty under multiple provisions, including-
Section 4(2) of the POCSO Act: 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000; in default, an additional one year in prison.
Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000; in default, three months in prison.
Section 126(2) of the BNS, 2023: One month of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 500; in default, 10 more days in prison.

All the sentences will run concurrently, making the maximum term to be served 25 years.

The victim’s family expressed relief and satisfaction after the pronouncement of the judgment. “Our faith in the judiciary has been strengthened. Since Rajdeep’s house is only 4-5 km away from Nagar Bagan, his conviction will deter others from attempting such crimes,” a family member told reporters. They also praised the police’s swift action and the speedy trial process.

It has also come to light that Rajdeep is married and has two children aged five and three. Despite this, he carried out the heinous crime, which has now cost him decades of imprisonment.