In Berhampur, Odisha, a 47-year-old owner of a private clinic has been apprehended on charges of raping a nursing student in an apartment. This information was confirmed by local police.

According to a police official, the suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday by the Baidyanathpur police station. Additionally, a 21-year-old woman and a 50-year-old female accomplice were also arrested on Monday for allegedly assisting the accused in the crime.

The accused is reported to be the district president of a labor organization. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, had been working at the clinic, where her father was assured that the clinic owner would support her in pursuing a B.Sc. in nursing.

The accused had also promised the victim free accommodation during her studies. On Monday, he allegedly took her to a room in an apartment, where his female aides provided her with water. After consuming the water, she began to feel dizzy. The accused then reportedly took her to the bedroom and assaulted her. Following the incident, the victim informed her aunt, leading to the filing of a police report.

Police Superintendent Sarvan Vivek M stated that the accused faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Furthermore, initial investigations suggest that the accused may have been operating as a fake doctor with a fraudulent homeopathy degree while running the clinic. The investigation is ongoing.