Berhampur: Police arrested a 38-year-old rickshaw-puller for allegedly raping his minor daughter in Bada Bazar of the city on Thursday.
According to Bada Bazar police, the rickshaw-puller’s wife had deserted him four years back as he frequently tortured her and their two children in drunken condition. While their daughter is 7 years old, the son is 5 years. His wife has been staying with the two children in her mother’s house in Berhampur.
Since his wife left him, the rickshaw-puller has been visiting his mother-in-law’s house to meet his children. On Thursday, he had again gone there at around 7 pm when only children were present. He sent the son outside to buy chocolate and raped his daughter.
As the minor girl started crying, the neighbours rushed to the house. The rickshaw-puller tried to escape through back door of the house. But the locals caught hold of him and beat him severely.
On being informed, police reached the spot and arrested the rickshaw-puller. They have admitted the victim girl in hospital, said IIC of Bada Bazar police station Prasant Bhupati.