Bokaro, July 9: Two persons, one an employee of Bokaro Steel plant and the other working for a multinational company at Bokaro, are to face the consequences of raping a 16-year-old mentally-retarded girl on the pretext of curing her medically, if guilt is proved.

An FIR was lodged against the duo at Maraphari police station of Bokaro on Sunday. Superintendent of police Priya Dubey ordered an inquiry.

Police sources said Kumari Nisha, an orphan and resident of Kumbatoli (Maraphari), stayed with her elder sister Asha Devi for medical treatment for many years since the untimely death of her parents.

A fortnight ago, her neighbours informed Asha that a BSL employee Sahdeo Ram Manjhi, a self-proclaimed Godman, had powers of curing all diseases, including cancer and mental retardation.

Asha took her sister to the Godman who promised to perform a puja to cure Nisha.

Police sources said Manjhi, along with another man whose name has not been disclosed, visited Asha Devi’s house on June 26 saying it was an auspicious day. He asked for a few flowers, rice, turmeric and sandalwood immediately to perform the puja that would keep all evils away that possessed Nisha. When Asha went out, the duo raped Nisha who failed to get rid of them despite raising an alarm.

Hearing her cries, Asha rushed back to see the duo running out of her house. But before the neighbours could rush to help her, Manjhi and his friend had escaped.

Elders of the locality then convened a meeting and imposed a penalty on the BSL employee of Rs 25,000 for medical treatment. Manjhi accepted his fault but as the money did not reach the victim, an FIR was filed in Maraphari station on Sunday evening.