Man held for raping minor in Khunti

Ranchi: Police arrested Ritesh Toppo on Wednesday for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl with speech and hearing impairment on April 11. The accused has been sent to judicial custody following medical examination.

According to the officer-in-charge of the local police station, Toppo entered the victim's house during a thunderstorm. He allegedly assaulted the victim's grandmother before committing the crime. Only the victim and her grandmother were present in the house at the time of the incident.

"We registered a case under relevant sections, including POCSO Act, and launched a search operation. Tracking the accused was challenging as he is illiterate and doesn't use a mobile phone," the officer said.

The survivor's medical examination and other crime-related procedures have been completed.

Toppo, a native of Ranchi district, had been working as a domestic help in the area for eight years. Though he claimed to be under the influence of alcohol during the incident, police couldn't verify his statement as he had been absconding for six days after the crime.