Jajpur, July 19: A youth was arrested today for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at Paikarapur village in the Dharmasala police station limits.

The girl, a pala singer, was confined in a room for three consecutive days and repeatedly raped by the 31-year-old youth, identified as Mangulu Pradhan, before she was set free on Paradip – Daitary Express Highway near Chandikhole district.

The girl from Siha village was returning home after performing at a pala when the incident had occurred, police said.

“After staging a pala at Mahanga in Cuttack district, I returned Chandikhole with my troupe around 9.30pm on July 13. I was waiting for an autorickshaw at Chandikhole after sending the troupe members to their respective destinations. Mangulu reached there and volunteered to take me to my village on his motorcycle. Instead of going to my village, he took me to his village and sexually assaulted me on way to his house. Then he confined me in his house for three days, repeatedly raped me and dumped me at Kundala Chhak on Paradip-Daitary early in the morning on Monday,” said the victim.

The victim approached the police on July 16, the same day she was set free.

“Even as the incident occurred a week ago, we could not arrest the culprit as he had absconded after committing the crime. But since the complaint was lodged, we had been on a trail and arrested him today after conducting raids on various places. Earlier, the victim’s statement was recorded following which medical test was conducted. The reports have confirmed rape,” said Jajpur superintendent of police Deepak Kumar.

“Medical examination of the accused has been conducted today. He is booked under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code,” said Kumar.

The accused would be forwarded to court tomorrow, he added.