Bancho: Police Wednesday detained a 17-year-old boy accused of raping a minor girl, who is now about eight months pregnant, in Kendujhar district.
The survivor, who works as a casual labourer, had travelled from her village to the Tarakot area under Korei police station limits in Jajpur district in January to work in paddy harvesting.
During her stay there, the boy allegedly raped her. She did not report the assault at the time because she was afraid, according to police.
Anandapur Sub-Divisional Police Officer Kamal Kumar Panda said the boy was taken into custody Wednesday and would be produced before the Kendujhar district Juvenile Justice Board after completion of the required legal procedures.
The girl’s family later lodged a written complaint at Anandapur police station. Doctors subsequently determined that she was about eight months pregnant.
The case was initially registered as a zero FIR at Kudanagari police station in Kendrapada district September 2.
After investigators determined that the alleged offence fell under the jurisdiction of Anandapur police station, the case was transferred there September 4.
Anandapur police registered a case (240/26) in connection with the incident.
Further investigation is underway.