UP horror: Man held for attempting to sexually assault, murder 6-year-old girl

KANPUR: The police arrested the suspect, who had attempted to sexually assault and murder a six-year-old girl, on Wednesday night after shooting him in the right leg during an encounter.

The accused was hiding in a forest alongside the Ramsari-sugar mill road. He fired at the police vehicle upon their arrival, prompting retaliatory fire that wounded his leg before his arrest. He was subsequently transported for medical treatment.On Tuesday evening, a six-year-old girl, whose father is a private worker, was discovered in a severely injured state. The victim's mother identified 28-year-old Shivam, locally known as Kallu, a neighbourhood resident, as the perpetrator who assaulted her daughter and attempted to end her life by striking her head with a brick.

The incident occurred behind a shrine. Initially denying any knowledge of the girl's whereabouts during the family's search, Kallu later emerged carrying the injured child.

She was first taken to Ghatampur CHC before being transferred to Kanpur.The accused accompanied the victim to the hospital, where the girl's father confronted and struck him, leading to his escape. The child was transported to Kanpur LLR Hospital through a green corridor.

DCP South examined the crime scene that night. The authorities registered a case against the accused under relevant sections for rape, attempted murder of a minor, and POCSO Act violations. The ACP indicated that locating the suspect was challenging due to his mobile phone being switched off.Following intelligence received on Wednesday night about his presence in the Ramsari forest near the sugar mill road, police confronted the suspect, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

After being shot and apprehended, authorities recovered weapons and ammunition from his possession. The child, whilst regaining consciousness on Wednesday at LLR Hospital, remains unable to communicate. Dr. Shailendra, heading paediatrics, confirmed the child's head trauma but noted improvement, with oxygen support no longer required.

Principal, Medical college, Dr Sanjay Kala confirmed ongoing monitoring by multiple specialists.

CCTV footage from Ghatampur CHC captured the suspect arriving with the child, rushing her to emergency, and the subsequent confrontation with her father.DCP South Deependra Nath Chowdhary confirmed the suspect's arrest following the shooting incident. The child, though conscious, remains unable to speak. Investigations continue.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)