A 12-year-old girl, residing in an orphanage, was sexually abused by the founder of the childcare centre in Chikkasandra under Soladevanahalli police limits in North Bengaluru.

According to the police, the victim was sexually abused by Vijay Raj (30), who was arrested on Wednesday. The victim was residing in the orphanage for the past three years.

On Wednesday noon, an elderly woman noticed the girl crying near a pavement in Chikkasandra. She approached her and asked the victim as to why was she crying.

The victim narrated her ordeal to the woman saying that she was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment by the owner of the orphanage for the past two years.

The victim, a class seven student in a private school in the City, told the woman that he used to touch her at inappropriate places and molest her whenever he could find an opportunity.

She had tried, several times, in vain to flee the spot. On Wednesday, she found the opportunity and fled the orphanage, added the police.

“The woman took her to Soladevanahalli police station and a complaint was registered. Based on the complaint, the police arrested Raj and questioned him, who confessed to the crime. The police are also questioning the other staff members and children at the orphanage to find out if he had behaved with others in a similar manner,” said a senior police officer.

“The orphanage was started by Raj around seven years ago. It housed a total of 30 students including eight girls. The victim claims that she does not have a father and her mother lives in Ramamurthy Nagar.

Her mother, who is yet to be identified, is a daily wage worker. She could not afford education for her daughter and sent her to the orphanage where she was provided food, accommodation and education, police officer said adding, “We are trying to trace the mother after which the victim will be handed over to her (mother). Currently, she is being counselled and treated in a government home for girls.” Soladevanahalli police have booked the suspect under Pocso and the investigation is on.