Ramakanta Biswas

Paradip: At a time when nationwide rage continues over sexual violence against women, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 74-year-old man in Odisha on Friday. The shocking incident has been reported from Ersama block in Jagatsingpur district.

According to reports, the minor girl was standing near a grocery shop owned by the accused when he approached and took her to his house on the pretext of giving her chocolates. Later, he allegedly raped her. The accused was running the shop from the premises of his house, sources said.

“I was returning from the market when a woman told me that the accused has taken the girl inside his shop sometime back. As we approached near the shop, the accused freed the girl," said Bijay Behera, a relative of the minor girl.

“She was on her way to a relative’s house when she halted near the shop. The accused then dragged her inside a room of the shop and raped her. When we along with other villagers reached the shop, the accused freed the girl. We demand strong punishment for the accused,” said the aunt of the survivor.

Following the incident, the family members of the minor girl lodged a complaint at Abhayachandapur Police Station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) Act and detained the accused.

The medical tests of both the accused and victim will be conducted today and their statements will be recorded as per the provisions of the law, police said.

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