Baripada, Aug. 21: Mayurbhanj police sent blood samples of a man accused of rape, along with the victim and her girl child, for a DNA test to ascertain the parenthood of the child.

Jaychandra Mahanta, 35, of Bhurkundi village in Betnoti police limits, fled to Chennai after he was accused of rape and impregnating a 30-year-old unmarried woman in his neighbourhood.

The victim had told her mother that under various pretexts, Mahanta had established a physical relationship with her.

Mahanta escaped to Chennai in search of a job around the time of the victim's delivery.

The victim had given birth to a girl child on December 5.

Following the compliant of the victim's mother, a rape case was registered against Mahanta, who was already married. He was under police surveillance, but gave the cops the slip.

On Friday, he was nabbed from his house when came to the village to meet his family members.

During interrogation, he denied having fathered the victim's baby. The police collected his blood sample and of the victim and her child after obtaining permission from court. Mahanta was produced before court after being booked for rape.

Betnoti sub-divisional police officer Dhiren Chandra Nanda said Mahanta had married the second time after deserting his first wife and later, establishin a physical relationship with the victim.

"The accused is lodged in jail after the court rejected his application for bail," said Nanda.

Man shot at

A man shot his father-in-law in the head at Khurda's Talasahi locality on Sunday. The victim, identified as Kantha Jena of Sorana, has been admitted to the district headquarters hospital, said sources.

The accused was handed over to police after local residents overpowered him.

Sources said the cops had also seized the weapon used to commit the crime.