Bhubaneswar, April 1: A 30-year-old youth raped a 10-year-old mute girl on the Jagannath temple premises in Baripada town yesterday, sending shockwaves across the state.

The minor was rushed to Mayurbhanj district headquarters hospital with serious injuries in her private parts. She was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Her condition is now stated to be critical.

The accused, Guru Charan Behera, is a resident of Deula Sahi in ward No. 9. He works as an electrician. At that time, the accused was moving around the temple premises.

The incident took place when a meeting of temple committee was under way in front of the temple's singha dwar (lion's gate or main entrance). The district sub-collector was present in the meeting. Behera raped the girl when she was playing alone on the temple premises and officials were busy attending the meeting.

Hearing the girl's screams, the officials rushed to rescue her. They handed Behera over to police after thrashing him.

The minor's father then lodged a complaint. The police booked a case under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and conducted medical examination of the accused.

"He was produced in court today," said Baripada Town police station inspector-in-charge Amit Biswal. The court has rejected his bail petition and sent him to jail.