Physically challenged girl raped inside temple in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, April 2

A physically challenged minor girl was allegedly raped by a youth inside the premises of Lord Jagannath temple in Odisha's Baripada, police said on Sunday.

According to police, the incident took place on Friday night when the temple was deserted.

Gurucharan Behera, a resident of the area, lured the 10-year-old girl inside the temple by offering her a chocolate and allegedly raped her on Snana Mandap (bathing altar), said police.

The victim was rescued in a critical condition from the spot. Angry locals captured the accused and thrashed him before handing him over to the police.

Initially, the victim was admitted to PMR Medical College and Hospital and was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack after her condition deteriorated.

Following a complaint lodged by the victim's father, the police registered a case.

Baripada Sub-Collector S.K. Purohit has sanctioned Rs 10,000 for the treatment of the girl, officials said.

—            IANS