Girl, 8, sleeping with mom lifted from bed at night, raped by neighbour; critical

Agra: An eight-year-old girl, sleeping with her mother and two younger siblings, was allegedly abducted from her bed, brutally raped and left severely injured by a neighbour at a village in UP’s Mathura district in the early hours of Thursday, sparking widespread outrage across the area. The survivor is in a critical condition in hospital.Despite her severe injuries, the child managed to walk back to her house around 4 am. Her family found her bleeding and in severe pain. Before being rushed to hospital, the survivor identified the accused, who resides in the same village. The family told TOI that doctors have told them that bleeding has not stopped.“The girl’s father works as a truck driver and was away on duty at the time. The accused, known in the village as an alcoholic, entered the house through a roadside window around 1 am, silently lifted the sleeping child and carried her away to an isolated spot,” the victim’s uncle stated.After the local police were notified, emergency teams were dispatched to the scene. Chhata DSP Bhushan Verma confirmed that forensic teams have visited the site. “Our officers went to the crime spot, launched a thorough investigation and collected crucial evidence from the crime scene,” Verma said.SP (Rural) Suresh Chand Rawat said, “Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, we have registered a case under BNS section 64 (rape) and relevant sections of the Pocso Act. Multiple police teams have been formed and are actively raiding suspected hideouts to nab the accused.”Police have assured the family of swift action. Security has been stepped up in the village to maintain law and order as tensions remain high.