Lanjigarh: Police said on Saturday that a man has been arrested and presented in court in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a minor girl in Kalahandi district.
The accused has been identified as 25-year-old Kumar Naik, a resident of Gopiguda village under the Bijepur police limits of Lanjigarh block. He was caught after evading arrest for nearly 15 months. According to police, the girl, then a 9th-grade student, was in a relationship with Naik. The two went to Bhubaneswar on October 21, 2024, but their families brought them back after learning of their whereabouts.
Soon after, Naik allegedly fled to Bangalore, where he worked as a security guard and remained in contact with the girl over the phone.
Police said Naik returned to the village on January 1, 2025, and allegedly convinced the minor to elope with him that night, promising to marry her.
The girl’s father filed a complaint at the Bijepur police station on January 9, following which a kidnapping case (2/25) was registered.
The two were found in their village on Friday following a tip-off.
During the investigation, police alleged that Naik had physical relations with the minor, who is now reportedly pregnant. Naik underwent a medical examination and was produced in court on Saturday.
The minor was also examined and later produced before a special POCSO court in Bhawanipatna, after which she was sent to a shelter home.
Police said a case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act.
