Mob protests rape and murder of minor girl in Darbhanga, 1 held

Patna: An irate mob blocked the main road, torched an autorickshaw and pelted stones at police on Sunday morning in protest against the alleged rape and murder of a six-year-old girl by her neighbour at a village in Darbhanga.

Police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd. The accused was arrested hours after the girl’s body was found near a pond late Saturday night.According to police, the girl went missing on Saturday evening, and her body was recovered later that night. The accused allegedly lured her to the pond while she was playing outside with two other girls and committed the crime.Upon receiving information, Darbhanga SSP Jagunath Raddi reached the spot with a police team.

The body was sent to Darbhanga Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for post-mortem. Forensic and cyber cell teams also inspected the site and collected evidence.Darbhanga DM Kaushal Kumar said, “The body was recovered late Saturday night, and the accused was arrested soon after. Public anger is natural over such a heinous crime. However, the situation is under control. The accused will face speedy trial.”SDM Vikas Kumar said the mob demanded that the accused be handed over to them and turned violent when the police tried to stop them.

The crowd was eventually brought under control. Sadar SDPO Rajiv Kumar said some anti-social elements created a ruckus and pelted stones, and they are being identified for legal action.“Three girls were playing near the pond on Saturday evening when the accused tried to catch all of them. He managed to grab one while the other two escaped. It is alleged that he took the girl to a dark area, raped and murdered her, and fled,” the SDPO said.He added that, based on statements of the two girls and CCTV footage, police identified the accused as Vikas Mahto (22) and arrested him. Bloodstains on his clothes matched the victim’s. The accused is currently being interrogated, the SDPO said.