5-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Sexually Assaulted in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj; Accused Arrested

Mayurbhanj, July 24: A man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district after the child’s mother rejected attempts to settle the matter at the village level and approached the police, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Chamaka Paleya. Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and initiated an investigation.

Incident Reported After Child Returned From Anganwadi

According to police, the alleged incident took place on July 20 under the jurisdiction of Bisoi police station.

The child, who attends a local Anganwadi centre, was returning after classes when the accused allegedly approached her and offered her chocolates. He then allegedly took the girl to his residence, where the sexual assault took place, police said.

After returning home, the child told her mother about the incident.

Mother Rejects Village-Level Mediation

Following the disclosure, a meeting was reportedly convened in the village to discuss the incident.

According to reports, attempts were made to resolve the matter through local mediation. The girl’s mother, however, refused to accept such a settlement and approached Bisoi Police Station, where she submitted a written complaint.

Police subsequently registered a case and arrested the accused.

Case Registered Under POCSO Act

A police officer said an investigation was launched immediately after receiving the complaint.

The accused was taken into custody and the required legal and medical procedures were initiated. Police said he would be produced before the appropriate court dealing with POCSO cases.

Further investigation is underway, officials said.

Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the child, in accordance with laws protecting the privacy of minors who are victims of sexual offences.

Editor’s Note: Odisha News Now has withheld all information that could identify the child. Indian law prohibits disclosure of the identity of minors involved in cases registered under the POCSO Act.