Kendujhar: Police arrested a 28-year-old man Wednesday for allegedly raping his pregnant sister-in-law while she was alone at her in-laws’ house in Patana block of Kendujhar district, officials said.
The accused, identified as Lokanath Mohanta, was produced in court following his arrest.
Police registered a case (325/26) at Patana police station and said further investigation was under way. According to police, the 22-year-old woman, who is five months pregnant, is married to Lokanath’s younger brother, who works in Bengaluru.
She had been staying with her in-laws while her husband was away for work. The woman lodged a written complaint at Patana police station Tuesday night, alleging that Lokanath raped her at about noon Sunday.
According to the complaint, her father-in-law was away tending cattle, and her mother-in-law was busy with household work when Lokanath entered the kitchen and asked her to serve him curry.
The woman alleged that he gagged her, dragged her to an upstairs bedroom and raped her.
He also allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident, police said.
Police said Lokanath is the eldest son in the family and works as a farmer.
The survivor’s husband is the second son and works in Bengaluru, while the youngest son lives elsewhere.
Investigating officer and sub-inspector Lakshman Kumar Majhi said the woman and the accused underwent medical examinations Wednesday at the Patana Community Health Centre.
Additional tests will be conducted at Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Kendujhar, he said.
Police said the accused raped the woman despite knowing about her pregnancy.