A 62-year-old temple priest was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Devanahalli, located in the northeast Bengaluru. The priest allegedly sexually assaulted the 10-year-old girl at his daughter’s residence. The incident was first reported by Deccan Herald. The accused has been identified as 62-year-old Venkataramanappa. According to the police, on Tuesday, he had gone to visit his daughter at around 4 pm in Devanahalli, when he saw the 10-year-old girl playing outside.

Deputy Commissioner of North East Bengaluru, CK Baba, said that at around 4.30 pm, Venkataramanappa allegedly lured the girl inside, into his daughter’s home, and is said to have sexually assaulted her. DCP Baba said that the girl and her family live in the neighbourhood and so she often plays in the area.

When the girl did not return home after a long time, her parents began looking for her. They went to the temple, located near the accused’s daughter’s home, and asked street vendors whether they had seen their daughter. A flower vendor allegedly informed the girl’s father that she had gone into the accused’s daughter’s house. 

When her parents walked up to the house, they saw their daughter running out and crying loudly. The girl told her parents what transpired and soon a crowd had gathered outside the accused’s house. The Devanahalli Police were informed and the girl was taken in for a medical examination. 

Venkataramanappa was taken in for questioning on Tuesday evening and subsequently arrested on Wednesday. DCP CK Baba said that the priest has confessed to the crime. The police have also retrieved CCTV footage of Venkataramanappa talking to the girl on the road, and taking her inside his house. The footage of her going inside was recorded by a camera in the temple.