Maharashtra: Ex-village sarpanch held for raping 8-year-old girl

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Police have arrested a 62-year- old former village sarpanch for allegedly raping a minor girl in Maharashtra's Palghar district, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday when the eight- year-old victim went to the accused's house in Manor village to pluck fruits from his garden.

The accused lured the girl on the pretext of giving her sweets and allegedly raped her, the official from Manor police station said.

The victim raised an alarm following which some people residing nearby rushed to the spot and caught hold of the accused, he said.

They handed over the accused to the police and the girl was later sent for a medical examination, he said.

A case has been registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.

The accused is the former sarpanch (head) of Manor gram panchayat, he added.

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