Jawan booked for raping minor girl

An army jawan, deployed in a Kolkata regiment, was today booked for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl on the pretext of marrying her in a village in the district, the police said.

A case was today booked against the Jawan, Jonnapalli Jagannatham, who was the girl's neighbour in the village, following her complaint, they said.

The girl alleged that Jagannatham had entered her home when her parents were away and raped her on November 20, 2017.

Later, he lured her with the promise of marriage and raped her several times in the past few months following which she became pregnant, she alleged.

When the girl told Jagannatham about her pregnancy over the phone and requested him to marryher, Jagannatham reportedly refused.

Jagannatham and members of his family suggested termination of pregnancy by offering her Rs four lakh, she alleged.

The girl also alleged that Jagannatham's family threatened her with dire consequences if she did not follow their suggestions.

The girl along with the support of womens organisations approached police and Chodavaram MLA, KSNS Raju recently.

Chodavaram Inspector M Srinivas said the accused has been charged under IPC sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and also various sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012.

A search is on to nab him.