Acting on the requests of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Congress, lawyers in the Kalyan court have refused to take the case of Rajesh Wamane, 42-year-old auto driver, accused of raping a four-year-old junior KG student.

Arun Sonawane, police inspector, Vishnunagar police station said, "The incident occurred on November 29. The auto driver would ferry the girl and some of her friends to school everyday. Though initially reluctant, the girl's family later lodged a complaint in the case."

Wamane, who had escaped to his native place, was arrested on Tuesday night when he returned to Dombivli.

As the incident came to light, the MNS and Congress leaders wrote a letter to the Kalyan Court Bar Association requesting to refrain from representing the accused. They alleged that the incident has shocked Dombivli residents.

Shekhar Kulkarni, Dombivli resident, said: "Earlier, we would send our children in autorickshaws without any fear. But, the incident has shocked the city. We plan to request the autorickshaw union and RTO to cancel Wamane's driving licence and permit."