Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police has arrested a man on charges of raping his minor niece in Nayapalli area of the Odisha capital.

The accused has been identified as Jayakrushna Nayak of Nuasahi under Nayapalli police limits in the capital. The cops also arrested Nayak’s wife Phulan Nandini Nayak for her alleged complicity in the crime.

Nayak had allegedly raped his niece (daughter of his wife’s sister) several times in his apartment at Nuasahi.  

According to police, the minor girl, a native of Kandhamal district, had been staying at her aunt's residence in Bhubaneswar to pursue her education. During this period, Nayak allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual exploitation.

The girl’s aunt (Nayak’s wife) pressured her to comply with the accused's demands, telling her that she would be allowed to continue her studies only if she did so.

After enduring the abuse for a prolonged period, the survivor approached Nayapalli Police recently and lodged a complaint. On the basis of the complaint, the police registered a case and launched an investigation.

“The accused couple has been arrested and produced in a local court. Further investigation on the matter is underway,” said an official of the Nayapalli police.