Sarpanch’s husband arrested for raping minor girl in Odisha

BERHAMPUR: Police have arrested the husband of the sarpanch of Shologhar Panchayat in Purusottampur district for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old minor girl two months ago. The accused has been identified as 30-year-old Tutu Das.

According to police, Tutu lured a 14-year-old girl and raped her multiple times, resulting in her pregnancy. When he came to know about the girl’s condition, he tried to terminate the pregnancy by bringing her medicines. He even threatened the victim’s family with dire consequences if they brought the matter to light. However, the Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) in Shologhar village came to know about the incident and informed the elders of the village.

When no action was taken, they filed a police complaint on Friday. Based on the complaint, a case was registered and both the victim and the accused were medically examined. Tutu was subsequently arrested and produced before the POCSO court in Berhampur, IIC Bipin Bihari Hota said.