A 17‑year‑old girl was rescued and a youth arrested in Jajpur district after he allegedly abducted and raped her on the pretext of marriage, police said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Niranjan Mallick of Brahmabarada, reportedly befriended the minor through social media and gained her confidence. He later took her away from Bhubaneswar without her family’s knowledge, first to Kataka and then to Jajpur, where he allegedly raped her. Following a complaint lodged by the girl’s family at Infocity Police Station, a case was registered and an investigation launched. A joint team rescued the minor and arrested Mallick.