5-year-old girl raped in Odisha after being lured with chocolate, accused detained

The accused confessed to the crime in a local village meeting. A complaint was lodged shortly, and the police detained the accused.

In Short

• The girl was lured from her Anganwadi centre with a chocolate
• She returned home after and recounted the alleged assault to her mother
• Villagers held an informal meeting where the accused reportedly confessed

Widespread outrage has erupted in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj after a four-and-a-half-year-old girl was allegedly molested and raped by a village local. The incident occurred while the girl was attending her daily sessions at the village Anganwadi centre.

According to police sources and the girl’s family, the suspect, identified as Chamaka Paleya, approached the minor at the centre and enticed her to his residence using a chocolate. Once inside, the accused allegedly committed the crime. The traumatised child managed to return home shortly after and disclosed the incident to her mother.

Following the disclosure, village elders convened an informal meeting to address the allegation, where the accused reportedly confessed to the act. Rejecting local mediation attempts, the victim's mother proceeded directly to the Bishoi police station to lodge a formal criminal complaint.

Acting on the complaint, the local police immediately detained Chamaka Paleya and initiated custodial interrogation.

Station officials confirmed that once the preliminary investigation and required medical procedures are completed, the accused will be produced before the POCSO court under Section 164/26.

Meanwhile, public anger remains high in the area, with locals demanding strict legal penalties.

- Ends