Cuttack: Orissa High Court has recommended a minor rape survivor to be considered for compensation under the state government's relevant scheme. The girl was 12 years old when the rape took place on May 27, 2011 at Kashi in Sadar Police station limits of Puri.

The single-judge bench of Justice S.K. Sahoo issued the direction in addition to dismissing the appeal petition of Damodar Das, against the order of court of assistant sessions judge (special track, Puri) that had found him guilty of kidnapping and raping the girl and sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment on December 26, 2013.

"In view of the enactment of the Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme, 2017, keeping in view the age of the victim at the time of occurrence and the nature and gravity of the offence committed and the family background of the victim, I feel it necessary to recommend the case of the victim to District Legal Services Authority, Puri to examine the case of the victim after conducting the necessary enquiry in accordance with law for grant of compensation," Justice Sahoo said in his April 19 order, full text of which was available on Saturday.

"Let a copy of the order be sent to the District Legal Services Authority, Puri, for compliance," the court directed.