The Bonei police on Tuesday arrested and forwarded to court three youths, including a girl, in connection with the gang-rape of a 17-year-old tribal girl of the Kalunga area in Sundargarh district.
Sources said the victim had gone to Bardengda village, where her grandfather stays, to attend a marriage ceremony. On May 13, a friend of her tried to cajole her to go to a nearby place in order to see a newborn baby. As she (the victim) refused, her friend took her forcibly to a secluded place where three youths were already present. Then, the three youths allegedly took her to a riverbed and raped her taking turns throughout the night. They left the girl near her residence in the wee hours of May 14.
The girl lodged a complaint with the police on May 19. The police arrested the victim’s friend and two of the three youths, Tuna Kishan (19) of Bardengda and Prahlad Kishan(20) of Bhaludungri on Tuesday. Third youth Dayal Kerketta(19) of Bardengra is still absconding.
“The three arrested, including victim’s friend, have been forwarded to court. The third accused will be nabbed very soon,” said Bonei PS IIC SK Das.