Cuttack, Sep 20: Odisha police on Sunday arrested a 35-year-old youth for allegedly raping three minor girls and molesting two girls in his slum in a month.

The accused, a resident of Balmiki slum in Cuttack city of Odisha, used to rape the victims taking them to nearby secluded places. All five victims are aged between 7 and 11 years.

The heinous crime came to light after a victim narrated her ordeal before her elder sister who informed the matter to their mother.

The family consulted about it with their neighbours when another two girls opened up about their ordeal.

The family members of the three victims lodged a complaint at CDA Phase – II police station in this regard. Later, police came to know that another two girls were molested by the accused, said IIC Anita Sahoo.

Police arrested the accused and forwarded him to court on Sunday.  The district Child Welfare Committee has taken care of the three victims, she added.