A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered after being kidnapped by a man suspected to be a habitual offender in Bollarum area here, police said on Sunday.

Accused Anil Kumar, who was recently released from jail, took away the girl, a class III student, from near a toddy shop last evening where she was with her mother, after luring her to buy some chocolates and chips.

He then allegedly raped the minor and brutally killed her by smashing the girl's head with a boulder last night, Bollarum police station Sub-Inspector M Satish Kumar said.

A complaint was lodged in this regard at around midnight and a search was launched following which the girl's body was found in an isolated place, the SI said.

Police teams have been formed to nab the absconding accused, he further said.

A case under relevant IPC sections for rape and murder and POCSO Act has been registered, he said, adding further probe is on.