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Image showing protest against rape.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: The Ramamurthy Nagar police in eastern Bengaluru have arrested a 25-year-old construction labourer for allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering a six-year-old girl.
Abhishek Kumar, a native of Bihar, was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the police said on Tuesday.
The crime occurred on Monday evening in the Ramamurthy Nagar area.
“Kumar moved to the area for construction work just three days ago,” said the police officer.
The victim child also lived in the same neighbourhood with her parents, who are from Nepal. “The victim’s father worked as a security guard and the mother a domestic help and did odd jobs,” the officer added.
On Monday, Kumar allegedly lured the child to an under-construction building after 6 pm while her parents were away. The girl’s parents found her body after a frantic search and were informed by neighbours that Kumar was the last person seen with her.
Kumar, who has been working as labourer in different parts of the city for the past five years, was tracked down and assaulted by a mob before the police intervened, dispersing the crowd, and taking him into custody.
“The suspect has admitted to the crime,” a senior police officer stated. Kumar was presented in court, remanded to judicial custody, and will undergo a medical examination.
The girl’s body has been sent for autopsy. Her mother has called for the strictest punishment, demanding that Kumar be hanged.
“We seek justice for our daughter from the Indian and Nepalese governments,” the mother said in an emotional video appeal.