Teen tries to kill herself after sexual assault by neighbour | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: A 13-year-old girl tried to kill herself by consuming pesticide after being allegedly sexually assaulted by a 22-year-old neighbour in Puri district on Saturday evening, police said on Sunday. The survivor is receiving treatment at a hospital in Bhubaneswar and her condition is stable.“Multiple teams are conducting raids at various places to arrest the accused, who is on the run. The girl’s statement will be recorded once she recovers,” said SP (Puri) Vinit Agrawal. “We are treating the case with utmost priority. Chargesheet will be filed expeditiously.”Police said doctors are providing medical care along with psychological support to the survivor.Police sources said the accused, who is unemployed, allegedly lured the minor to an isolated location on the pretext of discussing her studies. After sexually assaulting her, he threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the incident to anyone.The girl’s parents, after finding out about her ordeal, filed a police complaint, prompting a search operation for the accused.The parents said they found their daughter unconscious at home on Saturday night and immediately shifted her to a community health centre near the village. She was subsequently referred to Puri district headquarters hospital before being moved to the hospital in Bhubaneswar after her condition deteriorated.“My daughter had been suffering in silence. The accused had been stalking and harassing her for months,” said the survivor’s father.Child rights activist Anupriya Pradhan condemned the incident. “This case highlights the urgent need for better community awareness and protection mechanisms for minors. We demand swift action against the perpetrator,” she said.
