Two arrested for kidnapping, molesting minor girl in Odisha

Reported by Malay Ray
Sundargarh, Feb 18:

Two men have been arrested by Bonei police in Sundargarh district of Odisha today for allegedly kidnapping and molesting a minor girl on Tuesday night.

Police have also seized an autorickshaw (Regd No – OD 14C-4044) used by the accused to whisk her away.

The two arrested men have been identified as Pradip Kumar Patra (20), a resident of Jamkei under Bonei police station and Sanjay Kumar Sahu (22), a resident of Bonei Telisahi under Bonei police station of Sundargarh district. They will be produced in court tomorrow.

As per the complaint lodged by the victim, the 16 year old girl from Bijadih village under Tikayatpali police station of Sundargarh district was kidnapped by the culprits from Maneswar temple at Deogaon, Bonei where she had gone to offer her prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivratri along with her elder sister.  The kidnappers forcibly took her to an autorickshaw and fled from the spot at around 10 pm while she went outside of the temple to attend to nature’s call.

The brave girl, in an attempt to escape rape, jumped off the autorickshaw about two kilometres away while it was moving slowly and escaped from the inebriated men. Later, she reached Bonei police station and informed the cops about the incident.

A police team of Bonei police station, led by Sub Inspector D Sahu, went to the Maneswar temple following the complaint and nabbed the two youths at around 2 AM today after the girl identified them.

“The minor girl has done a brave and commendable job. We have arrested both the youths and they will be forwarded to court on Thursday,” said D Sahu, Sub Inspector, Bonei Police station.

The accused, both of them auto drivers, have been arrested by Bonei Police under section 366 A, 294, 323 and354 of IPC and relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.