Keonjhar: Once felicitated with National Bravery Award for saving three women from drowning, a minor boy of Katulikana village under Champua police limits in Keonjhar district has been accused of raping a minor girl of the same village.

The incident came to fore after family members of the girl lodged a complaint at Champua police station last evening.

As per the complaint, the minor boy took the girl to an isolated place on the pretext of offering her noodles to eat last evening and raped her. Today, police detained the accused and took him to custody for interrogation.

“Investigation is underway. Hence, we cannot provide further information in this connection,” said Champua PS IIC Manoranjan Pradhan.

It is pertinent to mention that the boy was conferred with the National Bravery Award in 2017 for displaying courage and saving three women from drowning in Baitarani river in the district. The minor had gained praises both at state and national levels for his bravery. After failing to clear Class 10 annual examination this year, he gave the Supplementary exam held this month.