Devbrat Patnaik

Puri: Of the four accused in alleged gang rape of a minor girl in Puri, two persons including the prime accused have been arrested and will be court forwarded today.

Addressing a press meet, DIG (Central) Ashish Singh said, "Dismissed constable Jitendra Sethi and one Rajesh Sethi have been arrested so far. Four teams have been formed to investigate the case. We will also seek conduct of the trial in a fast-track court. Charge-sheet will be filed within 20 days as the case has been taken up on a priority basis."

"We will ensure special lawyers are given the charge of the case so that all the culprits get severe punishment. The girl's statement was recorded under 164 CrPC in presence of Magistrate. A case under Sections 363, 376 (DA) & 394 IPC sections and Sec 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, (POCSO) has been registered," Singh added.

Reportedly, the minor girl was waiting near Nimapara bus terminal on Monday to return to her home at Kakatpur in Puri district when four persons allegedly offered her help. Later, they allegedly abducted her and took her to government quarters (which was allotted to Jitendra) near Jhadeswari Club and gang raped her.

Read For Case Detail: Puri Gang Rape- Accused Constable Jitendra Sethi Arrested

Police sources further claimed that Sethi was dismissed from service in February by the then SP of Puri after multiple charges of misconduct including physical harassment were reported against him.

In response, the DIG stated that another case has been registered against accused Jitendra Sethi for possessing police ID card despite being dismissed from service. "Misusing of police ID card is a criminal offence. So another case has been registered against him in this connection."

Here's the press meet of DIG (Central) Ashish Singh.

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