A resident of Vikhroli Parksite shows the image of the man arrested over the rape of a two and a half-year-old girl. The accused was beaten up by the residents before being handed over to the police. (Photo: Shripad Naik)

A resident of Vikhroli Parksite shows the image of the man arrested over the rape of a two and a half-year-old girl. The accused was beaten up by the residents before being handed over to the police. (Photo: Shripad Naik)

A 22-year-old man, who allegedly raped a two-and-a-half-year-old girl in Vikhroli Parksite area on Friday night, was caught red-handed and beaten by locals before being handed over to the police, who arrested him. The girl, who sustained injuries in the incident, has been admitted to hospital.

The accused, identified as Sushant Singh, is a resident of the same area, in which the family of the victim resides. He also knew the family of the victim well, the police said. According to police officials, the incident took place around 11 pm on Friday night.

“While playing with her toys, the girl went out of her home. The girl’s mother was having dinner at that time. The accused, who knew the girl, started playing with her. He later offered her chocolate and took her to an isolated location at Navyug Mandal in Parksite area and sexually assaulted her.” a police official said.

“During initial inquiry we have found that he is a drug addict too, but his medical check-up will be done soon,” he further added.

After noticing the disappearance of her daughter, the girl’s mother started searching for her along with neighbours.

As the accused was sexually assaulting the girl, nearby residents heard screams of a girl.

“When we reached the spot her mother also arrived there and was shocked when she came to know the accused was Singh. He was like a family member and used to take the girl for bike rides and used to give her chocolates,” a police official said.

There was brief agitation for 15 to 20 minutes after the incident, after which normalcy returned.

DCP Rajesh Pradhan said, “The accused has been booked under IPC sections 363 (kidnapping) and 376 (rape) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).”

“The accused was drunk. We have arrested him from the spot.

The accused was produced in the court, after which he got police custody for two days,” Mr Pradhan added.

“At the same time we have admitted the girl to the Rajawadi Hospital. Although her condition was initially critical, she is now stable. She is undergoing treatment. The victim’s medical examination is underway as she has received some injuries in the incident,” he said.