Blot on Khaki: Two cops arrested for raping minors 

Jamda Police in Mahurbhanj district is now in the news for the wrong reasons. Two cops reportedly stained the khaki after the duo were arrested in separate cases on charges of raping two minor girls. 

According to police sources, the duo identified as ASI Ananda Majhi and home guard Debananda Patra of Jamda Police Station were booked under the POCSO Act and produced in court on Tuesday.

As per reports, a 14-year-old girl of Majhia village under Lagda Police limits in neighbouring Jharkhand had filed a complaint at Jamda Police Station on October 14, 2023, against home guard Patra. In the complaint, the victim stated that her mother was down with a fever which did not subside.

On October 11, her maternal uncle somehow came in contact with Patra, who got to know of the ailing mother and assured her uncle that he would cure the illness with his magical powers. But the cop put a rider, saying that a minor girl is required to perform rituals to cure the woman.

On October 14, the victim and her uncle went to the home guard, who allegedly raped the minor in a house after performing the ritual, and threatened her with life if she revealed the matter outside.

Two days later, the victim came with her uncle and lodged a complaint at the police station. Following the complaint, police booked Patra under the POCSO Act and arrested him. 

Taking advantage of loneliness

In another case, Jamda ASI Ananda Majhi was accused of raping a minor in Kandasar village under the same police limits. 

A complaint filed by the relative of the victim stated that the girl, who was working as a domestic help at the government quarters of the ASI for the last four years, was raped by the cop. Police arrested the accused after booking him under the POCSO Act.

Report by Jashabanta Barik