Minor moves Rayagada collector to get man arrested for rape bid

Koraput: Alleging police inaction in arresting the perpetrator in an attempted rape case, a 17-year-old girl in Rayagada approached district collector Ashutosh Kulkarni during a grievance hearing on Monday.

According to the survivor's complaint, around 12.30 pm on July 8, she was going to a local shop to get a photocopy done when an acquaintance allegedly gagged her with a towel and dragged her to a nearby area with the intent to rape her. The accused fled when a relative arrived at the scene. But before he fled, the man in his mid-20s threatened to kill her if she spoke about the incident.

Paralysed by fear, the minor and her family initially refrained from reporting the incident. Three days later they finally mustered the courage to lodge a formal complaint at the police station. However, even after nearly a month, the accused remains untraceable.

Accompanied by women's rights activist Binodini Garadia, the survivor and her family approached the district collector, seeking prompt action in the matter.

The district collector assured that police have been instructed to conduct an impartial investigation and take immediate steps to bring the accused to justice. Inspector in-charge KKBK Kahanr said investigation is ongoing, and asserted that the truth would come to light once the probe is over.