Kalpetta: Six people have been arrested in connection with the alleged molestation and rape of seven minor girls over a period of two months at an orphanage in Wayanad district in Kerala, police said on Monday.

A case has been registered against all the accused and the probe is underway, police added.

Kerala: Six minors from an orphanage in Wayanad allegedly molested. Police have detained five people and registered case — ANI (@ANI_news) March 7, 2017

The girls, all in the age group of 14-15 years, were staying at the orphanage at Muttil in Kalpetta.

The incident came to light after one of the girls was seen coming out from a nearby shop in suspicious circumstances and was questioned by the orphanage staff, following which a complaint was lodged with the police, they said.

Any other information about the incident was not known immediately and police said more details would be shared as the probe progresses.

The incident comes close on the heels of a 16-year-old girl being allegedly raped by a church vicar at Kottiyoor in neighbouring Kannur district.

The girl gave birth to a baby boy on February 7 after which the priest was arrested. Seven other accused in the case, five of them nuns and a doctor, are still absconding.

(with inputs from PTI)