Patna: A 22-year-old man was charged with gang-raping his three-year-old niece along with two of his friends late Friday night in Patna.According to the girl’s mother, the child was sleeping at home when her uncle, a drug addict, picked her up and carried her to a nearby field around 500 metres away. There, he and his two friends allegedly gang-raped the toddler.The girl’s screams alerted local residents, who initially believed a child thief had entered the area and began shouting. The three accused fled from the spot, abandoning the child. Family members, who were searching for the missing girl, soon reached the location and found her profusely bleeding. They immediately alerted the police.Authorities responded swiftly and rushed the injured child to a hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Police arrested the main accused — the girl’s uncle — and one of his friends shortly after the incident. The third accused is still absconding, and raids are underway to arrest him.SDPO-II, Ranjan Kumar, said late on Friday night information was received that a three-year-old girl was gang-raped. “Taking swift action, police arrested two persons and an FSL team was called to the crime spot to gather evidence. Currently, the girl is undergoing treatment at a govt hospital in Patna, and we are conducting further investigation,” he said.A senior police officer said that the incident occurred around 11.30pm on Friday night. “Statements from the girl and her mother will be recorded in the court to ensure a speedy trial and swift punishment for the accused,” the officer said.
