2nd case of minor girl sexual assault reported in Odisha’s Puri in 48 hours; accused arrested
BY Our Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 26: The Odisha police on Tuesday arrested a man on charges of sexual assault on a five-year-old girl whose family lives in his neighbourhood.
The incident came to light after the victim’s mother lodged a complaint with the police alleging that the neighbour had lured her daughter into his house on the pretext of offering her delicious food. Once in the house, the accused neighbour started playing a blindfold game with the little girl and perpetrated the heinous crime.
Following registration of the offence, the Baliapanda police moved swiftly and arrested the accused, identified as Subhasish Tripathy.
Interrogation of the accused was underway when this report was filed, police sources said.
This is the second minor sexual assault case reported in Puri in the last two days. On Sunday, another minor girl – aged 5 years – was allegedly raped in the Town Police station area.
The accused, stated to be an acquaintance to the family of the survivor, allegedly took the girl to the terrace of a house, while she was playing near her house and committed the crime.
When the girl’s mother rushed to the terrace after hearing her screaming, the accused reportedly fled from the spot.
The girl was initially admitted to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital where her medical examination was conducted. She was later shifted to a hospital in Cuttack when her condition deteriorated.
Four teams have been formed and a manhunt is underway to nab the accused, a driver by profession, who is on the run.
