Man thrashes 4-year-old Mumbai girl with iron rod to take revenge on her parents

The child has suffered multiple skull fractures and brain injury, is being treated at a private hospital in Bhayander

A four-year-old girl is battling for her life at a private hospital in Bhayander, after a man seeking revenge on her parents assaulted her with an iron rod, fracturing her skull on Tuesday night, said police.

Police arrested the accused, Rahim Shaukat Ali Shaikh, 19, on Wednesday. (HT)

Police arrested the accused, Rahim Shaukat Ali Shaikh, 19, on Wednesday. They said he lives in Azad Nagar, Bhayander (East) and is a ragpicker.

Senior inspector Ram Bhal Singh of Bhayander police station said Shaikh was angry with the minor’s parents, as they had objected to him ogling her.

The girl’s parents found her in a pool of blood at a garbage heap near their house.

They took her to Kasturi Hospital,where doctors admitted her to the intensive care unit. She has suffered multiple skull fractures and internal brain injuries, said Dr Rajeev Agarwal. She also has wounds on her eyes and face.

“We arrested Shaikh under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. He has confessed. Shaikh has been remanded in police custody till December 18, when he will be produced before Thane court,” said police.

In January, the body of an infant was found buried in a dry drain near the shanties.