Kolkata, 14 July (H.S.): A man has been arrested after a minor girl, who had reportedly run away from her home, was rescued from a rented house in the Shasan area of Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, police said on Tuesday.

According to the police, the accused, identified as Samad Ali, allegedly brought the girl to his rented accommodation after meeting her in Kolkata. Local residents informed the police after becoming suspicious of the situation, following which officers from Baruipur Police Station reached the spot and rescued the minor.

Police said the girl is a resident of the Barrackpore area in North 24 Parganas district. Preliminary investigation suggests that she had left home after an argument with her family and travelled by train to Sealdah railway station, where she came into contact with the accused.

Investigators said the accused allegedly persuaded the girl to accompany him to Baruipur. Based on the complaint and the preliminary findings, police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the law, including those related to offences against a minor, and arrested the accused.

The accused was produced before a Baruipur court on Tuesday. The minor has been reunited with her family after completing the required legal formalities.

Police said the investigation is ongoing to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether any additional offences were committed.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh