Raipur: Three persons including a girl have been were arrested in connection with the rape of a 16-year-old here, police said today.  The incident took place yesterday when the minor victim had gone to buy medicines from a medical store in Tikrapara area under Purani Basti police station limits, a senior police official said.

Those arrsted were identified as Mahesh alias Chotu Tandi (19), Chandan Mahanand alias Raja (21) and the girl-Juli Shaw (21), all hailing from Raipur, the official said.  As per the victim's statement, Juli allegedly took the girl along with her to a nearby temple where the accused Chandan was already waiting for them.  Subsequently the duo kidnapped the girl and took her to a house in nearby Bhatagaon locality where Chhotu allegedly sexually exploited her.

Later Chandan again went to that place and he also allegedly raped her, the official said.  The trio then abandoned the girl near her house and escaped, he said.

When the girl informed her parents about the incident they lodged a complaint to police, he said.  A case has been registered in this connection, the official said adding further probe is on.