New Delhi: A man accused of raping and murdering a nine-year-old girl in Delhi’s Nehru Vihar on Saturday was arrested from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. He has been identified as Naushad (28), a resident of Nehru Vihar.
While being taken to Delhi by a police team, Naushad allegedly attempted to escape after attacking a constable with a concealed blade. The police fired in the air and then shot him in the leg, to stop him from fleeing.
According to the police, Naushad was tracked with the assistance of CCTV footage and technical investigations.
“When the police vehicle reached the lake park near the Welcome area, the accused said that he wanted to stretch his legs. This is a common request during long journeys. He was being led out by a constable, when Naushad pulled out a blade and slashed him in the chest. We retaliated by firing warning shots in the air. When he did not stop, he was shot in the leg,” an officer said.
Both Naushad and the injured constable were taken to a nearby hospital. After preliminary treatment, the team started for Delhi again.
The child left home on Saturday morning to deliver ice to her grandmother. Her family got worried when she didn’t return even after a long time. The girl’s grandmother said that she never turned up at her flat.
On questioning some children who were playing in the compound, it came to be known that the girl had entered a flat close to her grandmother’s. Relatives and locals found this flat locked from the outside.
On breaking in, they found a suitcase from which blood was oozing. On opening it, the girl was found. There were clear indications of sexual assault. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival. The police took custody of the body and registered an FIR. Locals organised a protest in the area on Sunday, demanding immediate arrest of the accused.
“The accused will be charged under the POCSO Act as well as under BNS for attacking the policeman on duty and attempting to escape,” the officer added.
