3 days ago
Man arrested for ‘kidnap & rape' after teen's death
Bhubaneswar: A 21-year-old man was arrested on Friday in Bargarh district on charges of kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl. The arrest comes in the wake of the minor's death at a hospital on Thursday, sparking allegations of foul play by the girl's family.
IG (northern range) Himanshu Lal confirmed the arrest. "They both were returning in one bus, and there is no involvement of any other person. When the girl became unconscious, she was taken to a hospital, where she was declared dead. The man has been arrested."
The minor had travelled with her parents to visit her uncle in Balngir district on May 27. That night, she reportedly left with her "boyfriend", a mason, to Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The couple stayed in a rented accommodation until Thursday, when they embarked on a bus journey back home. During the journey, the girl lost consciousness, prompting the accused to transport her to a community health centre via autorickshaw, where she was pronounced brought dead.
The girl's parents had earlier filed a missing person's report and were later informed of her death by the CHC. The girl's body has been sent to Bargarh district headquarters hospital for post-mortem.
The man, who was also feeling unwell due to lack of nutrition, received medical treatment.
Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Padarbinda Tripathy said, "We took him into custody after saline treatment. They did not have sufficient funds for food and rent in Raipur, leading to a week of likely dehydration."
Tripathy added, "The exact cause of death will be determined after we get the autopsy report. There are no visible injuries on the girl's body. The accused confessed to physical relationship with the girl in Raipur. As she was a minor, he will face charges of kidnap and rape."
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