The accused was produced in a court in Morena on Thursday and remanded in judicial custody. (FILE PHOTO)

A 40-year old man has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Morena for allegedly raping, blackmailing and threatening a girl, a senior police official said on Friday.

The accused, Murari Das, a resident of Barsana near Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, recites scriptures at functions, the official said.

"Das came in contact with the 16-year-old victim when her father called him here for a Bhagwad katha function. Das stayed with the victim''s family for three days during which time he ensnared her and raped her repeatedly," said Sub Divisional Officer of Police Mahendra Sharma.

He said the accused continued to keep in touch with the victim over phone after going back to Barsana.

"A couple of days ago, Das asked the girl to come to Barsana with Rs 1 lakh and her mother's jewellery, threatening to defame her if she failed to do so. The family approached police after the girl went missing," he said.

Murari Das was arrested on Wednesday and the girl rescued, the SDOP said, adding that he was produced in a court in Morena on Thursday and remanded in judicial custody.