Man rapes tenant’s 3-yr-old daughter in Patiala; arrested

VICTIM IS DAUGHTER OF A MIGRANT LABOURER; THE ACCUSED, WHO IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN, IS REPORTEDLY A DRUG ADDICT

PATIALA:A three-year-old daughter of a migrant labourer was allegedly raped by their landlord in a residential colony on the outskirts of the city falling under the Bakshiwala police station on Thursday.

The accused, whose identity is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, was arrested on Friday afternoon.

The victim’s family had migrated from Bihar and is residing in a rented accommodation at Surinder’s house. The accused, who is married and has 3 children, works as a daily wager and is reportedly a drug addict, police said.

The matter came to light late on Thursday evening when the victim’s mother, who works as a domestic help, came home. The victim told her mother that she felt severe pain in her stomach and private parts.

“The girl fainted twice,” victim’s mother said.

When she inquired from her elder children, they informed her that the accused took her to his room on Thursday afternoon and allegedly sexually assaulted her, she added.

The victim’s mother immediately raised alarm following which the accused fled the spot. The area residents informed the police, which later took the victim to Government Rajindra Hospital for a medical examination.

Police said the initial report of medical examination confirmed sexual assault on the victim, following which a case was registered against the accused under Section 376 (rape) of IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Superintendent of police (Sp-investigations) Harwinder Singh Virk said the accused was arrested on Friday afternoon when he was trying to flee the city.

He added that they are trying to find out if the accused was under the influence of some intoxicant when the crime was committed.