Berhampur: A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a clinic owner, who had assured her family to help her study BSc (Nursing) and provide free accommodation at Baidyanathpur in Odisha’s Berhampur.
The allegedly fake homoeopathy doctor, Babani Shankar Das, who ran Vajpayee Arogyadham clinic, was arrested along with two of his women accomplices on Tuesday on the basis of a complaint lodged of a 45-year-old woman on June 23, alleging that her niece was raped by him.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the girl’s mother came in contact with the fake doctor through an 50-year-old Anganwadi worker from their village, who claimed that Das provided free accommodation and education to poor and underprivileged girls.
On June 20, the girl along with her mother and sister came to Vajpayee Arogyadham, operating from the first floor of Raja Rani apartments near Courtpeta Chhak in Berhampur, and met Das. As they had expected, he promised to get the girl a nursing degree and provide free accommodation.
Three days later, the girl’s family dropped her at the accused’s clinic. Around 7 pm, Das allegedly took her to a flat on the third floor of an apartment, where his assistant, 21-year-old Priyanka Sahu, offered her water. After drinking it, the girl felt weak but remained aware as Das allegedly took her to a bedroom and raped her.
After the assault, the girl fled to her aunt’s house, and together they reported the incident to the police, who registered a case under different sections of the BNS and POCSO Act against the accused. A medical exam was conducted, and forensic teams collected evidence from the clinic and Das’ home.
Preliminary findings suggested that Das used a fake homeopathy degree to pose as a doctor. He along with Priyanka Sahu and the Anganwadi worker have been arrested and further investigation is underway, police said.
