Beltangady: Man arrested for raping minor

Beltangady: Man arrested for raping minor

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Aug 28, 2026: Dharmasthala police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl, who later became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl.

The accused has been identified as Srikanth (21), a native of Andhra Pradesh who was working in Bengaluru. According to police, he had become acquainted with the minor girl from the Dharmasthala police station limits and allegedly developed a relationship with her.

Police said Srikanth allegedly raped the girl between September and November last year and threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone. The girl reportedly did not inform anyone about the alleged assault.

She later became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl on August 22.

Following the incident, Dharmasthala police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. After learning about the case, the accused allegedly attempted to flee.

Police arrested him in Doddaballapur, Bengaluru, while he was reportedly on his way to his native place, Hindupur in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

The accused was produced before the POCSO court in Mangaluru, which remanded him to judicial custody.