Paradip: A six-year-old girl was allegedly molested near her school on the outskirts of the port township on Monday.

The 27-year-old accused, Batia Lenka, a daily labourer, has been taken into custody, officials of Paradip Lock police station said.

The incident occurred when the girl was returning home from school.

Lenka, finding the girl alone, trapped her by offering chocolates. Later, he gave her a bicycle lift and took her to a deserted house at the village with the intent of raping her.

As he tried to commit the crime near a bush, the girl screamed and raised an alarm. A motorcyclist could hear the girl's cry for help.

The biker with the help of other local people intercepted Lenka and handed him over to the police.

Lenka was medically examined, and he confessed to have committed the crime under the influence of liquor.

Booked under Indian Penal Code sections 354 (outraging the modesty), 557 (assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine a person), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012, the accused was produced in Kujang judicial magistrate first class court, which sent him to jail.

Lawyers of the local bar association refused to move Lenka's bail.

Sexual abuse of minor girls have started reporting frequently across the district in the recent months. The offenders in most of the cases committed in recent past were either known to the girl or are from the people living on the neighbourhood.