Image used for representation purposes. | Photo credit: AP

Police on Sunday (August 25, 2024) arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of raping a 12-year-old girl in his neighbourhood in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, an official said.

“The accused Rama Ganpat Bhoir, a resident of Tarapur, allegedly committed the crime on Saturday afternoon (August 24),” he said.

Bhoir entered the girl’s house when she was alone and raped her. He fled after she raised the alarm.

“After being informed by her about the sexual abuse, the girl’s parents filed a complaint with the police,” the official said.

“The police have registered a case against Bhoir under Section 64 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” the official said.