Phulbani: Police on Monday arrested four persons, including a teen, for allegedly raping of a minor tribal girl in Khajuripada police limits of Kandhamal district.

The accused raped the survivor, 17, on May 12 in a forested area near Gudari village on the pretext of giving her a lift. They then left her alone in the deserted forest, said Khajuripada police station inspector Anita Kiddo.

The victim was returning home after attending a music programme when she was waylaid by the accused. They offered her a lift by claiming that their auto-rickshaw was moving in that direction.

On the way, they got off from the auto-rickshaw and forcibly dragged her to the forest where they took turns to rape her. They then threatened her and left. The survivor later walked for 5km to reach home.

On seeing her torn clothes, her parents smelled foul play and questioned her. After she narrated the ordeal, they took her to the police station and lodged an FIR on Sunday.

The cops swung into action and arrested the accused - Srikant Behera, 30, Badal Digal, 21, Jitu Diggal, 18, and a 16-year-old boy. The police said the accused had confessed to the crime and were sent for medical tests.

The victim also identified the four, who have been charged under sections 376 (rape) and 376 (g) (gang-rape) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

They were later sent to judicial custody after a local court dismissed their bail plea.