Khurda: An anganwadi helper's minor daughter was allegedly raped, murdered and hanged by a youth inside her house under Jatani Police limits of Khurda district on Monday.
The anganwadi helper alleged that her daughter, a Class IX student was first raped and then murdered by one Gajananda Behera of Sardhapur village of the district. Behera was their neighbour and was staying in a rented house for the past 12 years.
As per reports, the mother of the girl spotted her hanging after returning home from work in the afternoon today and informed the villagers.
"After returning from anganwadi, I didn't see my daughter outside and was about to enter the house when Behera appeared. He was looking tense and asked me to keep my mouth shut. In the meantime, I noticed my daughter hanging from the ceiling and ran towards her when Behera fled," said the mother of the girl.
"I am sure he raped and gagged her to death. She can never commit suicide," she added.
Police rushed to the spot after getting information from the villagers and recovered the girl's body. A scientific team also visited the spot.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahu informed, "A case has been registered by Jatani Police after receiving a complaint from the mother of the deceased girl. The girl was found hanging by a cloth. However, post-mortem will establish the exact cause of death."
An investigation in underway following which legal action will be taken accordingly, added the DCP.