<p>Police have arrested a 62-year- old former village sarpanch for allegedly raping a minor girl in Maharashtra's Palghar district, an official said on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The incident took place on Monday when the eight- year-old victim went to the accused's house in Manor village to pluck fruits from his garden.</p>.<p>The accused lured the girl on the pretext of giving her sweets and allegedly raped her, the official from Manor police station said.</p>.<p>The victim raised an alarm following which some people residing nearby rushed to the spot and caught hold of the accused, he said.</p>.<p>They handed over the accused to the police and the girl was later sent for a medical examination, he said.</p>.<p>A case has been registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.</p>.<p>The accused is the former sarpanch (head) of Manor gram panchayat, he added. </p>
<p>Police have arrested a 62-year- old former village sarpanch for allegedly raping a minor girl in Maharashtra's Palghar district, an official said on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The incident took place on Monday when the eight- year-old victim went to the accused's house in Manor village to pluck fruits from his garden.</p>.<p>The accused lured the girl on the pretext of giving her sweets and allegedly raped her, the official from Manor police station said.</p>.<p>The victim raised an alarm following which some people residing nearby rushed to the spot and caught hold of the accused, he said.</p>.<p>They handed over the accused to the police and the girl was later sent for a medical examination, he said.</p>.<p>A case has been registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.</p>.<p>The accused is the former sarpanch (head) of Manor gram panchayat, he added. </p>