A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a six-year-old child in south-east Delhi's Govindpuri area on Holi this year. Accused Mantram alias Mantra is a resident of Harkauli village in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and had moved to Delhi in search of work.
Reportedly, the incident took place on March 13. Around 9.30pm, the child's father reached the police station and told the cops that his daughter had been missing since evening. After noting down the details, the police personnel were looking for the child in the area when one of them spotted her coming.
The girl complained of severe pain and was admitted to the AIIMS Hospital. In her statement, she told the police that she was playing in a park when a stranger approached her and asked her to come with him. He then took her to an unknown place in a white-coloured vehicle and sexually assaulted her.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-east) Romil Baaniya said: "The child identified the vehicle as a Gramin Sewa van. All the Gramin Sewa vehicles were checked." Special teams were constituted for the activity and the entire exercise took around two weeks.
Based on the statements of Gramin Sewa drivers on different routes, a sketch of the accused was made and posters were put up for his identification. After constant efforts, a team led by Inspector Arvind Kumar finally identified the man.
"Locals in the area informed him about Mantra and revealed that he was a labourer at Paratha Point in Nehru Place. Since he had not been seen in the area after Holi, our suspicion grew further," Baaniya added. He was later apprehended from his hometown.
A case under Sections 366(A) and 376, and under Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered at Govindpuri police station and further investigation is underway.
