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SURAT: Limbayat police in Surat city on Sunday night arrested a 19-year-old youth for alleged abduction and rape of a four-year-old girl on March 24.

The accused was identified as Atul alias Karan alias Bhuriyo Jadav, a resident of Kalpna Society in Limbayat. He works as a labourer in Limbayat area.

According to police, the girl went missing from near her house in Limbayat area on March 24, while she was playing. Her parents, who are casual labourers, lodged a complaint with the police, who launched a massive search operation.

Meanwhile, on March 25 morning, a passer-by found the girl crying near Samrat Industries and informed the police. She was admitted to the SMIMER Hospital where the doctors conducted medical check-up and confirmed that the little girl was raped.

Cops scanned through CCTV footage of the area which led them to the accused who was staying in a rented house in Swaminarayan Society a few kilometer from the minor girl’s house. However, when the cops reached the house, Jadav had moved to other place. But cops traced him to his new address and arrested him on Sunday night.

He has been charged under various sections of Indian Penal Code and sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012. Jadav was produced before a magisterial court which sent him to police remand till Tuesday.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

