Man held for ‘sexual abuse’

Rourkela: A 38-year-old man was arrested on Thursday night for allegedly sexually abusing his four-year-old relative in Deogarh district.According to the police, the incident came to light on Wednesday evening when the child’s father returned home from his agricultural field and noticed his daughter carrying a packet of snacks. When asked who had given it to her, the girl allegedly told her parents that a relative had taken her to his house, sexually abused her and later handed her the packet.The girl’s parents immediately confronted the accused, their cousin, at his house. However, the accused and his wife reportedly denied the allegation.The child’s father subsequently lodged an FIR on Thursday, following which police registered a case and launched an investigation. The accused was later apprehended by police.Investigators said medical examinations of both the girl and the accused have been conducted as part of the probe and further investigation is underway.Police said action is being taken in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012.