Baripada: Mayurbhanj police superintendent Parmar Smit Parshottamdas has suspended a grade-IV policeman for allegedly molesting a school girl here.
According to a source familiar with the issue, the accused – identified as Jawaharlal Behera from Tanki Sahi – attempted to molest a class-VIII student Sunday near the residence of the collector. He alleged dragged the victim to a desolated pump house there and tried to outrage her modesty while she was returning from her tuitions.
The girl, however, somehow managed to escape the predator and told her family about the incident following which locals along with her family members caught hold of Behera, tied him to a tree and beat him black and blue. He was later handed over to Baripada town police.
A case was lodged against him at the police station under Section 354 and 506 of IPC and Section 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Following an interrogation, Baripada Town police arrested him under POCSO act and the suspension order followed.