Youth arrested for raping 8-year-old girl

Mumbai: The Pant Nagar police arrested a 21-year-old man, Manoj Kadam, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old minor girl in Ghatkopar East, Lakshmi Nagar. Kadam, who jumped at the opportunity when the victim’s family was out for a medical emergency, and lured the minor girl by offering her chocolates. The incident came to light when the minor’s elder sister complained to her aunt, and the police was alerted soon after. When the locked door was opened, the girl was found in a semi-naked state.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Prafull Phadke, senior police inspector of Pant Nagar police station confirmed the arrest and said, “The arrest was made on Sunday evening and the accused will be remanded in police custody till June 30. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act.” Officials at Pant Nagar police station said that the incident took place on Sunday afternoon, when the victim’s family members were in a hospital as the victim’s mother was having labour pain.

The eight-year-old victim, who was playing with her elder cousin sister, was approached by the accused Kadam, and he asked her to come in the house and play. When she first refused to come along with him, he lured her with toys and chocolates, following which she accompanied him to his house in the neighbourhood.

The victim’s cousin did not see her younger sister and informed her mother, who knocked on Kadam’s door, which went unanswered.