Jajpur, Jan. 6: A Class IX student of a government-run high school committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Uparagada village under Korei police station after she was allegedly molested by a youth on Sunday.

Daughter of daily wage earners, the deceased, Rashmita Nayak, 15, was a meritorious student.

The villagers caught accused Rajan Bhoi, 20, and handed over to police. He was produced in today.

Local residents said Rashmita had gone to the village nullah for a bath on Sunday noon. While she was returning home, Rajan waylaid and allegedly molested her. When she shouted for help, local residents working in the nearby agricultural fields, rushed to the spot.

“We caught him and tied him to a tree and informed the local police,” said Kalandi Bhoi of Uparagada village.

Shocked over the incident, the girl ran back home and committed suicide by hanging herself with her scarf. Her parents were not in the house when she took the extreme step,” said Prasanta Kumar Majhi, inspector-in-charge of Korei police station.