The Mayurbhanj police arrested a 27- year- old man on the charge of committing rape and murder of a 12- year- old minor girl in his neighbourhood and forwarded him to court.
The accused identified as Timur alias Chamur Tapno of Sankumrum village under Karanjia police station was produced before the special court in Baripada. He was sent to jail by the court.
The incident occurred on Thursday on the day of Holi. The victim on the fateful day while returning to her home at about 8 am in a bicycle from nearby bus stand went missing.
The body was found in a nearby forest after search was made by her relatives and villagers. Sexual assault followed by strangulation was evident during preliminary investigation.