17-yr-old held for minor maid's rape

Boy arrested after 15-yr-old girl's new employer encouraged her to approach police

The Hinjewadi police arrested 17-year-old Rajesh (name changed) on charges of rape of a minor girl. Fifteen-year-old Riya (name changed) has accused Rajesh of raping her when she worked as a domestic help at his place.

Recently, the family asked Riya to leave. She found another job in Mumbai and had been working there for the past five days.

According to the police, with the support of her new employer, she came back to the city and filed a complaint against Rajesh.

According to the complaint, between May 20 and the first week of October, Rajesh raped her three times. The police have taken Rajesh, who is from Chinchwad, into custody under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Assistant Police Inspector Subhash Kale from Hinjewadi police station said, "Initially Riya lived with Rajesh's grandmother in Paranda taluka, Osmanabad district. She helped her with the household work."

Nine months ago, Riya was brought to Pune. She lived with the family including Rajesh, his father and mother.

However, on the pretext of helping Riya, Rajesh constantly made advances towards her. He subsequently took Riya to a room in Jaihind Nagar in Thergaon and the girl has accused him of raping her.

According to Riya, Rajesh also threatened to throw her out of the house in case she spilled the beans on his.

Rajesh has been taken into custody and sent to remand home since he is still a minor. A case has been registered against him and further investigations are going on.

(Names of suspect and victim changed)