Balasore, June 29: A 25-year-old man was arrested on charges of sexually exploiting a 20-year-old girl on the false pretext of marriage.

The accused identified as Bhagirathi Barik of village Saradanga under Simulia police station was booked under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code. He was sent to jail after the rejection of his bail petition.

The inspector-in-charge of Simulia police station, R.C. Singh said: "The accused had been exploiting the victim, a distant relative, for about three years on the false promise of marriage."

"When the girl's family went to Barik's house for the marriage proposal, his family members denied any such relationship between them and rejected the proposal. The girl's family then lodged a complaint on the basis of which the arrest has been made," Singh said.

The accused had been maintaining a physical relationship with the victim who belongs to the same village for about three years.

Aparna Mohapatra, a social activist, said: "Girls do get sexually exploited within relations, known circles and groups. The parents should keep tabs on their children."

"A large number of women are deceived after having pre-marital sex with their partners with whom they plan to marry. Several victims with such problems come to our centre for getting relief, " said Mohapatra, who is also the functionary of a short stay home in Balasore.

"The victims should expose such cases and the culprits should be punished," Mohapatra said.