Berhampur: Police on Tuesday arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the alleged abduction and rape a 14-year-old girl inside a car in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
“The accused has been arrested and his car has been seized,” said sub-divisional police officer Ramendra Prasad.
The incident took place on September 5 evening when the Class IX student accepted a lift from one Prasant Pradhan, a local, while returning home after visiting her elder sister and witnessing Ganesh Puja immersion procession at Daringbadi. She also sustained injuries to her knee as the man dragged her inside and assaulted her as she was trying to flee by opening the car door. The accused also threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
The girl returned home and narrated her ordeal to her parents, who then lodged a complaint with police the following day. A case was registered under POCSO Act, multiple teams were formed and a manhunt was launched to nab the accused. “During search, a police team arrested him,” the SDPO added.
Police had earlier conducted medical examination of the girl and recorded her statement.