Puri: A minor tribal girl was allegedly raped inside a bus in Odisha's Puri town late last night.

According to reports, the 15-year-old girl from Keonjhar, who works in Malatipatpur here, returned from home yesterday and reached Puri in a bus. Though she had to deboard at Malatipatpur, she fell asleep inside the vehicle and missed her stop.

After she woke up and realised about her presence at the Puri bus stand, the helper of the bus told her to sleep inside the vehicle and leave for Malatipatpur in the morning.

The bus helper allegedly raped the girl while she was sleeping. She later managed to escape from the vehicle. Locals spotted her crying near Gundicha Temple and informed police.

Cops have arrested the accused and investigation is underway. A case has been registered into the incident on the basis of statement of the victim.