Hyderabad: Neighbour lures, rapes 9-year-old

Hyderabad: In the fourth sexual assault on a minor this month, a man lured a nine-year-old girl with sweets and raped her at his house on Friday evening.

Police said the accused Ramavath Srinivas, 28, is an unemployed engineer.

Police, quoting from the victim’s mother, said Srinivas had lured the girl, his neighbour, with sweets while she was playing near her house with her brother in Singareni Colony, under Saidabad police station limits. The incident occurred at about 7,30 pm.

The mother got to know about it only on Saturday morning.

Saidabad inspector K.V.L. Narasimha Rao said, “The victim’s mother got to know about the sexual assault at 4 am on Saturday when the girl complained of severe stomach pain. When she questioned her daughter, she got to know about the sexual abuse.”

Based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, the Saidabad police registered a case under IPC Section 376(2) and provisions of the POCSO Act and arrested Srinivas. Further investigation is underway.

Asked about the string of such cases, an expert from the child helpline said, “There is a need for increased protection for children. Parents need to be vigilant for any sign of difference in their children’s behaviour. Children who are going through sexual assault might not open up soon, but there will be some difference in their behavioural pattern. They should listen to the child in an open minded way, without judging them.”