Vijayawada police on Tuesday launched a manhunt to nab a 25-year-old youth who was absconding after allegedly raping a minor at Chittinagar, even as the victim's parents accused the police of failing to nab the culprit.
According to inspector N Krishnashastry, Vijaya Raju (25) had developed a friendship with the 15-year-old girl, who was staying with her grandmother.
Late on Monday night, Raju had informed the girl's grandmother that the victim's sister was running a high fever. He also told the old lady that the girl's mother had asked him to bring the girl along to see the ill sister.
After crossing the Nainavaram flyover on the way, Raju took the girl forcibly to a mango orchard where he committed the crime. The accused then threatened the girl with her life, and warned her not to divulge about his sin to anyone.
The criminal then dropped his prey at her home. The girl revealed what had transpired to her parents who in turn approached police station, and lodged a complaint.
The girl's parents, however, accused the policemen of failing to act in haste to apprehend the accused. They claimed that the policemen at the station told them that they were busy in providing security for the Chief Minister's tour.
The girl was sent to hospital for medical examination. A case has been registered, and further investigations are on.