Jagatsinghpur: In a shocking incident, a man was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting his minor daughter in Jagatsinghpur district. The accused’s elder brother has also been arrested for allegedly sheltering him despite knowing about the heinous crime. 

The accused, Prasanjit Maity and elder brother, Pratap Maity were booked under Section 65(2)/351(3) BNS /Sec 4 of POCSO Act and forwarded to a court today. 

Based on a complaint of the accused’s wife, the Erasama police had launched an investigation and arrested the two accused. 

Accused habitual offender 

According to reports, the accused, Prasanjit Maity was often getting violent and subjecting his wife and 12-year-daughter to assault and intimidation. 

On April 27 morning, Prasanjit physically assaulted her daughter after getting angry about her speaking over a mobile phone. At about 3:30 pm, taking advantage of the absence of the complainant in the house, the accused approached his daughter on the pretext of applying oil to relieve her pain. 

The accused forcibly undressed the minor daughter and sexually assaulted. When the victim cried and resisted, the accused father further assaulted and threatened her with dire consequences, if she disclosed the incident before anyone. 

Initially, the child remained silent. However, subsequently she disclosed the entire incident before her mother. The complainant informed the village elders, following which a village meeting was convened. Upon being confronted with the allegations, the accused fled the village to evade legal action.

During inquiry, the victim disclosed she had been subjected to repeated acts of sexual abuse and exploitation by her father on previous occasions as well. 

Informing about the case, Jatasinghpur SP Ankit Kumar Verma stated the accused remain absconded and persistently evaded arrest. A police team went to Hyderabad, Miyapur and Hyder Nagar in course of verification regarding the presence of the accused.

During verification it was revealed Pratap Maity, elder brother of the accused had given protection to the accused in Hyderabad. Later the accused and his elder brother moved to Jankia village in Khordha district. 

Pratap had full knowledge of the heinous offence committed by his younger brother. During their stay in Hyderabad, Pratap had temporarily engaged Prasanjit as a security guard. 

Acting on the credible information, a police team of the Erasma police station raided a place in Jankia and apprehended the two accused.