2-year-old raped by neighbour in Bihar's Banka village

A two-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 35-year-old neighbor in Banka district village late on Sunday evening. The accused Pradeep Yadav was arrested on Monday morning under Section 376ab (rape of a female below 12 years) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (Pocso), police said.

Bipin Bihari, SDPO of the Bank, told that locals informed the police about the incident at 1 am, after which raids were conducted to nab the accused. "We have arrested Pradeep, who has been accused in several sand-related cases. Further action will be taken after recording the statement of the victim's family," he said.

The incident took place between 10pm and 11pm when the survivor's family went to watch a wedding procession. The accused lured the girl, took her to a deserted place and raped her. Then he left her in the backyard and ran away. Family members and locals searched for her for about 45 minutes. The girl's father noticed a man abandoning the girl near the house around midnight.

Police said family members saw the girl unconscious and lying in a pool of blood. She was immediately admitted to the local primary health center, from where she was referred to Mayaganj Hospital in Bhagalpur in a critical condition. The survivor is being treated in hospital. The SDPO said they have preserved the clothes of the accused for speedy trial. The victim's clothing will also be preserved and sent to FSL.

(The victim's identity has not been released to protect her privacy, in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines for sexual assault cases)