A local court in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district convicted a retired IAS officer on a decade-old rape charge and sentenced him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment on Monday.

The district and sessions court, Jashpur, convicted former Indian Administrative Service officer MR Sarthi on charges of rape, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation and sentenced him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment on the basis of a complaint filed by a female 'anganwadi' supervisor.

Judge Prabhat Kumar Shastri also imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on the accused.

Sarthi has vowed to appeal against the court decision while the victim has welcomed the verdict. She said the court verdict would be a lesson for those who misused their official post to physically exploit female juniors.

Sarthi and the victim both belong to the tribal community.

Police said Sarthi has been sent to judicial custody in Jashpur.