Rourkela: Four persons, including her lover, allegedly raped a girl inside a forest near Bisra. Police have registered a case of gang-rape following a complaint by the girl.

The minor, who belongs to Bondhamunda area, claimed the incident took place two days ago and she lodged a complaint with Birsa Police on Friday. The girl says she is mother to a baby girl.

Bisra officer in charge Bikash Ranjan Swain said: "A case has been registered and we are searching for the culprits. It is a fact that she had been to the jungle along with her lover, Sabir Khan. There, either they were spotted in a compromising positions or this boy had already kept his friends informed; we are not sure so far. But, she is saying she was raped and Khan was involved along with three others."

He said: "As this involves a minor girl we have deputed a woman officer to investigate the case. So far, no arrest has been made. According to the complaint of the girl, the boy is from the Bisra area, but during our initial inquiry, we did not find any Sabir Khan in the locality. It is only after his arrest we will be in a position to ascertain about the identity of the three others."

The girl is in a state of shock and was unable to express herself properly.

"We are trying to ascertain whether the baby, which the girl is claiming to be her own, belongs to her from a wedlock or out of it. Once she comes out of shock, she will be able to explain herself in a clearer way," said Swain.