A 16-year-old tribal girl from Jharkhand , who was staying at a government-funded shelter home for the destitute in Odisha’s Kendrapara district was allegedly raped multiple times during her stay there, police said.
“We have arrested the watchman and booked him under sections of BNS and POCSO Act. The teenager is a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri. The 52-year-old watchman was employed at the facility, while the juvenile was staying there as an inmate. She was travelling to Noida Sector 63, where her cousin lives.
She was allegedly sexually assaulted multiple times by the two accused during her stay at the shelter home, according to police. Further investigation is underway and more arrests are likely,” investigating officer Padmalaya Pradhan said. The two accused, identified as driver Kuldeep and conductor Sandeep, were arrested from a parking area in Timarpur, Delhi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Delhi North District) Niharika Bhat said. Police said she had left home without informing her family after her mother reprimanded her over her studies.
The West Singhbhum CWC chairperson filed a police complaint on Friday, which was later forwarded to Kendrapara Police.
The victim, who hails from Jharkhand, was rescued by Childline in Kendrapara on June 22, 2023 and lodged at the shelter home by the district Child Welfare Committee ( CWC ).
A 52-year-old watchman and a 13-year-old inmate of the facility were taken into custody in connection with the case on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.
