Two juveniles were sent to the observation home at Dumardaga in the city on Tuesday for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl on Monday.

Police nabbed the two underage boys from Chatwal village, around 30km from the state capital, under Chanho police station limits after the girl registered an FIR late on Monday evening.

A police officer, who spoke under cover of anonymity because he is not authorised to brief the media, narrated the sequence of events.

“On Monday evening the Class VIII student was standing near her home to enjoy Holika Dahan when two boys forcibily took her to an isolated place. One gagged the girl while another raped her. After the girl managed to escape from the clutches of two boys, she informed cops. Police nabbed the accused. Next morning they were sent to observation home,” the officer said.

Superintendent of police (rural) Rishav Kumar Jha said the matter was under investigation.

“The girl and the boys are all minors and know each other. Proper investigation has been started in the matter. The victim underwent a medical examination,” the SP said.

Rape by minors is not a new phenomenon on outskirts of Ranchi. Among the 12 arrested for the gang-rape of a law student on November 28 last year was an underage boy. On March 3 this year, the 11 adults convicted in the case were given life terms. The juvenile is still facing trial in the same case, an official at Kanke police station said.