3-year-old toddler raped in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar, accused arrested

The 23-year-old defendant, a driver by profession, was on the run after committing the crime.

The survivor’s condition is said to be stable.

“The child was admitted to the hospital on Monday evening and after the examination, the parents came for an ultrasound scan today,” said a senior official at Capital Hospital.

It is alleged that the accused Santosh Khuntia was under the influence of alcohol when he raped the minor girl. The incident took place when the victim had come to the accused Santosh’s house for playing. When the incident took place, no one was in the house.

The accused was medically examined at the Capital Hospital. He was later produced before a local court and remanded in custody.

Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prateek Singh said, “The victim’s family launched a search operation after she did not return home late in the evening. Later, after rescuing the girl from the accused’s house, they filed a complaint with the airport police.”

Subsequently, a special team was formed which found that the accused had moved to Pipili area of ​​Puri district. However, the accused managed to escape from the crime scene.

“Subsequently, an operation was initiated and the accused was nabbed within 24 hours. The forensic team has secured all the evidence and the survivor was immediately given medical attention. The medical examination of the accused was also conducted,” Singh said.

“The accused had also threatened the victim’s mother. We were able to collect evidence and seize clothes and other items that are important for the investigation,” Singh added.