‘He’s a bad man’: How 8-year-old Mumbai girl helped cops nab neighbour who raped her

The incident came to light after the Mumbai girl, who was learning English, told her mother that their neighbour was a ‘bad man’

The RA Kidwai Marg police arrested an 80-year-old man on Tuesday for allegedly raping his eight-year-old neighbour in Dadar (East) on Saturday.

The man told the girl he would assault her parents if she told anyone about the incident. (HT File Photo)

The accused stayed alone. His neighbours would feed and shelter him, said police.

The incident came to light after the girl, who was learning English, told her mother that their neighbour was a ‘bad man’. The woman was suspicious and questioned the girl, who said the man had called her to his house, saying he wanted to return the plate he was served dinner on. She said the man raped her and said he would assault her parents if she told anyone about the incident.

The girl’s mother took her to KEM hospital, where tests confirmed the rape. “Based on the mother’s complaint, the police arrested the accused under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code for rape and sections of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act,” said B Bansod, senior police inspector of RAK Marg police station.