Mysuru: A tea vendor has been arrested by the Mandi police on charges of sexually exploiting an orphan minor boy.

The arrested is Fairoz (35), a resident of Udayagiri here. He is booked on charges of allegedly raping his 14-year-old assistant for over four months.

Fairoz, who runs a canteen near Mission Hospital in the city, had employed the 14-year-old boy six months ago, to assist him in the business. According to reports, the boy used to take shelter at Fairoz’s house.

From the past four months, Fairoz had allegedly been raping the boy. The incident did not come to light as the minor had no one to share his agony with.

Beleaguered with constant torture, the boy finally gathered courage to reveal the incident with a few trusted customers who were regular visitors to the canteen. The customers in turn informed the local police.

Fairoz has been booked under POCSO act.