CCTV grab gives vital clues in 8-year-old's rape case

A CCTV camera installed at a private firm has captured images of a man suspected to have raped and murdered an eight-year-old girl at Pillgumpa Industrial Area in Hoskote taluk near here on Thursday evening.

In the footage, the victim is seen playing with an object which slipped off her hand and fell near a heap of stones. 

On the pretext of handing over the object, the suspect lured the victim into the shed and came out alone after eight minutes, a senior police officer told Deccan Herald on Friday. The victim’s body was later found in a semi-nude condition. 

After the police questioned local residents and labourers, it emerged that the suspect is from the same area. 

However, some people said that the suspect is an outsider and claimed to have never seen him earlier. 

The suspect in fact had engaged himself in a conversation with a couple of people from the area before committing the crime. 

“The footage indicates that the suspect is aged between 25-35 years. We also got to know that he had gone to a nearby shop and asked for water before accosting the girl,” the officer added.

Identification difficult

Meanwhile, IGP (Central Range) Arun Chakravarthi said: “The footage is not clear enough to identify the suspect. But it is an important clue. Eight teams have been formed to nab the suspect. We are hopeful that he will be arrested soon.”  

“The incident took place during the lean hours, when there is not much movement of people. Also, the half-constructed shed is located in a desolate place. The shed owner is also being questioned,” Chakravarthi added.

The dog squad, too, lost track after a few metres from the crime spot.  The victim’s family came here around a year ago from Hubballi and are at present working in a nearby brick kiln. They stay a few metres away from the shed.