A Myanmar refugee living in the city was allegedly kidnapped and raped by a scrap dealer for over two months. The victim, said to be around 17 years, works as a ragpicker and was allegedly kept locked in a shed near K Narayanapura in Varthur.
She managed to escape and approached Sampigehalli police, who then arrested the accused Mohammad Babul (35), a native of West Bengal. Police said the girl is said around two months pregnant.
Both have been sent for medical tests and the police also are questioning another man who allegedly sexually harassed her earlier.
According to police, the girl had come to the city with her parents two years ago and was living in a shed at Rachenahalli in Sampigehalli. Babul built a scrap yard near the shed and the family sold him the scrap they collected daily.
However, an argument broke out as the family felt Babul was cheating while weighing the scrap and they stopped dealing with him.
Upset over this, Babul allegedly kidnapped the girl about two months ago and the girl’s parents reportedly filed a missing complaint.
During interrogation, Babul told the police they were in love and had decided to get married. He claimed she had eloped with him after deciding to live together. He insisted that he had no idea why she approached the police and filed a false complaint, police said.
Though the girl has claimed she is 17 years old, some medical reports suggest she is an adult.
However, the Sampigehalli police are trying to ascertain her exact age.