Sundargarh: A youth was arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a minor girl of Class 10 in Kuanrmunda area of Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district after impressing her through social media.
The 23-year-old young man, identified as Kuldeep Hansda of Kumjharia area, allegedly took advantage of the girl by first gaining her trust on social media and sexually abusing her. Though the incident took place a few months back, it came to light after the girl was found five months pregnant.
Sources said the girl complained of severe stomach pain on Thursday night and her parents took her to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) where doctors found pregnancy. When asked, the girl claimed she had developed friendship with the youth in June on Facebook and then the two chatted regularly before they got close. The accused then asked her to meet at a place. When she went there, the youth allegedly took her to a secluded spot in a forest area and raped her. He then warned her not to disclose the matter to anyone.
After the girl revealed the incident, her family lodged a complaint with the police. Based on the complaint, a police team raided the youth’s village and apprehended him on Friday. A case was registered under relevant sections of POCSO Act and the accused forwarded to court. The minor survivor has been kept at Sakhi centre, police said.
