23-year-old man sexually assaulted girl at her home

A 23-year-old painter lured an Intermediate student promising love and sexually assaulted her at her home and on many other occasions. Meerpet police arrested the painter Danthuri Manikanta.

Police said that Manikanta hailed from Meerpet and was staying in the victim’s neighbourhood. He met the girl two years ago and developed a friendship with her.As days passed, they became close and started talking on the phone. They also met each other frequently. On March 15, the girl went missing from home and returned after a



week.

When her parents inquired she said that Manikanta took her to his house and that they had stayed at different places in Meerpet and Karmanghat. The girl also revealed that Manikanta had sexually assaulted her at their house a month ago and during the week she went missing from home.

Based on a complaint from the victim's father, police registered a case of kidnap, rape and as per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Manikanta was arrested and presented in court. He was remanded to custody.