Bhubaneswar, July 16: A 55-year-old constable working with Nandankanan police station was arrested today for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl.

The constable, Sarat Chandra Swain, allegedly molested the minor while in uniform.

Police said that the accused suspected the girl of stealing a mobile phone of his brother-in-law Sarat Khuntia at a marriage ceremony in Balipatna on July 9.

"The girl and her family members attended the wedding ceremony," said a police officer.

The police said that as the accused had managed to trace the location of the stolen mobile phone to the area where the minor used to stay, he suspected her of stealing the phone.

"On the basis of mere suspicion, the accused reached the house of the girl in police uniform on Thursday and identified himself as an employee of the office of the deputy commissioner of police. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law," said the investigating police officer.

The survivor, a Class-IX student, was spending time with her family members when Swain reached the home saying that he would interrogate the girl.

"The survivor alleged that the accused took her to a room and locked it from inside and molested her there. While both of them were inside the room, the brother-in-law of the accused threatened the family members of the girl with dire consequences if they did not hand over the stolen mobile phone immediately," said the investigating officer.

The police have also arrested the brother-in-law of the constable after the survivor's mother lodged a complaint with Mahila police yesterday.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said that the accused constable was arrested and charged under several sections of Indian Penal Code, including 354 (molestation), 419 (cheating by impersonation) and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

"The constable has no power to investigate the case and departmental action will be initiated against him," said Bhoi.