Mangalore: Youth arrested for raping minor girl in Belgaum
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 16: Suratkal police on Saturday March 15 arrested a youth for allegedly raping a minor girl who had gone missing a few days ago.
The accused, identified as Sangamesh (23) hailing from Koppa, resides in a rented house near Suratkal service bus stand.
It is said that the 17-year-old girl, a native of Koppal district, was staying in a rented house close to Sangamesh's. On March 14, he allegedly raped her at Savadatti (Saundatti) in Belgaum district. The Suratkal police sent the girl for medical examination on March 15 and the rape was confirmed.
Sources said that Sangamesh and the girl, staying in the same neighbourhood, were in a relationship for the past several years. On the night of March 11, they took a bus to Hubli via Udupi and from there proceeded to Belgaum. They visited Yellamma Temple in Savadatti and went sight seeing around the town for two days. On March 14, they bought mangalsutra, toe rings and other wedding-related things and got married in the temple.
A person by name Akash booked a room for the couple and it was there that the girl was raped, said Sangamesh during interrogation. The newly-married couple then took a bus back to Suratkal and appeared before the police.
Meanwhile, on March 13, the girl's mother lodged a complaint that her daughter had gone missing. The girl was subjected to medical examination and sent back home with her mother.
Sangamesh, however, claimed that the girl had forced him to marry her and have sex. The girl has reportedly requested the police to release her husband.
The Suratkal police have left for Belgaum for further investigation.