AKOLA: A 60-year-old man from Akola district is on the run since Tuesday after being accused of repeatedly raping his 10-year-old neighbour for a week, sending shockwaves in a state already reeling from the Nasrapur rape-and-murder of a three-year-old. Three to four police teams are on the lookout for the accused, a resident of Patur taluka of the district.The survivor’s parents, both daily-wage labourers, were away at work when the sexual abuse took place. Police said, the accused repeatedly exploited the child’s vulnerability in their absence. The survivor, initially terrified to speak, narrated her ordeal to parents on Tuesday (May 5). The family immediately approached Channi police, and a case was registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and other BNS sections.The accused, however, fled the village by the time police moved in. Akola superintendent of police Archit Chandak confirmed a search operation is underway. “We are scouring the nearby forest area for the accused,” Chandak said.Police deployed personnel in the village to prevent unrest, with teams stationed along the forest periphery since the night of May 5. “The situation is under control, and locals are cooperating with the investigation. Our teams have been stationed around the forest, and we expect an arrest shortly,” Chandak added.The survivor has been sent for medical examination, and her statement is being recorded. The case is being investigated by Channi police. The Akola incident comes days after a 65-year-old man in Nasrapur village of Pune’s Bhor taluka allegedly raped and murdered a three-year-old girl, triggering massive protests and a shutdown across Pune district. That case reignited demands for fast-tracking Shakti Act, which prescribes death penalty for child rape and murder. (The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
