Karkala, Mar 9: The case of the two teenage girls who had gone missing and were later traced in Bijapur, has taken a new turn. Rape Charges were filed against the accused under section 376 of IPC.

Two teenage girls 15 years, neighbours staying in Dookapadakatte, had left their homes together on March 1, having been fed up with the harassment and pressure from family circles. As per the police version, both the girls had travelled to Udupi and Bijapur, before the police caught up with them at a tourist spot in Bijapur, and escorted them back to their homes.

The police had registered a case of kidnap then, as the family members in their complaint, had stated that they did not know whether the girls had left on their own or were forcibly taken away by someone. The police have come up with a new story since.

The police now say that they have arrested Manju (25), Satish (26), and Nikhit (22), all locals, for kidnapping the two girls. It is said that these youths convinced the girls to accompany them to a lodge. The police did not say which lodge and where, either Udupi or Bijapur.

The police have added rape charges against the above accused under sections 376 of Indian Penal Code. The three men, it is said, had raped the girls at the lodge. Assistant superintendent of police, Annamalai, said that the accused can be charged with rape even if the act was consensual, on account of the fact that the girls are minors.