In yet another shocking incident, a 65-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl in Dharan.

The accused person identified as Ratna Bahadur Pariyar, a resident of Panbari Dharan-6, allegedly raped a seven-year-old girl living in his neighbourhood at Rayachaur-based slum area. However, the arrestee has been handed over to his family after his health deteriorated.

DSP Rameshwor Poudel of the Area Police Office, Dharan, said the arrest was made after a complaint was lodged that the elderly man raped the minor on Wednesday afternoon. The victim girl has undergone medical tests and doctor has advised psychological counselling for the child.

According to neighbour Sanju Adhikari, the old man took the child to his kitchen and abused her when her parents had gone to work. “We came out to enquire what happened after the child frantically ran screaming and crying,” said Adhikari, adding: “And we informed the police after the child said the grandfather did something indecent.” She said the man chased the child even after she rushed inside her house crying. The family sources said the child is psychologically traumatised.

The accused has 15 grandchildren. Police said the man was drunk when he raped the child.

The incident is the latest in a recent series of rape that occurred in Dharan. Only two weeks ago five incidents of rape took place in the eastern town.

Chief at BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences, Psychiatry Department, Dr Nidesh Sapkota attributed social context, impunity, drug and drinking for the growing incidents of rape in society.