Ghaziabad: A 60-year-old man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping a two-and-a-half-year-old girl in the Vijay Nagar area of the city.According to police, the incident came to light around 11 am after the child returned home crying. Her family alleged that the accused, a neighbour, had lured the toddler to his house while she was playing outside with her cousins and sexually assaulted her.Residents apprehended the accused and informed the police. A team from Vijay Nagar police station reached the spot and took him into custody.“The accused lived in the same locality but was not known to the victim’s family,” a senior police officer said.Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Upasana Pandey said the accused was being interrogated and that forensic evidence had been collected from the spot.“We have secured crucial forensic evidence, and the investigation is progressing. Strict legal action will be taken against the accused,” Pandey said.The child was taken to a govt hospital, where she is undergoing treatment. Police said her medical examination has been conducted, and the report will form part of the investigation.An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on the complaint of the victim’s family. Forensic teams also inspected the crime scene and collected physical evidence.
