She called him 'nanu': Retired lawyer in seventies rapes 5-year-old neighbour

BHOPAL: In a horrific incident rare for the state capital, a five-year-old girl was raped by a man in his seventies whom she adorably called ‘nanu’ (grandpa).The accused was arrested, the police said.The incident was reported in an upscale area of the city on May 3, the sleuths said, adding that the accused is a neighbour of the minor survivor and a former advocate.The minor was at the accused residence next door, playing with his visiting grandchildren, the police said, adding that the child had no inkling of what was to follow.The man was closely observing the minor as she played with his grandchildren before luring her away to another room where he sexually assaulted her, the police revealed.Not realising the gravity of what she had been subjected to, the minor returned home after some time, the sleuths said, adding that later in the evening she complained of pain in her private hearts to her mother.Her mother looked closely and detected scratch marks on her private parts, indicating sexual assault.Subsequently, the child was taken to a doctor, who examined her and voiced suspicion of rape. Her mother then approached the police.On being questioned what went down with her at the next-door neighbour’s, the child revealed that her ‘nanu’ committed a wrongful act.Thereafter, a case was registered under the POCSO Act and the accused was arrested.The sleuths revealed that during initial questioning, the accused attempted to mislead them. He was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.Both her parents are working, the police said, adding that the horrific abuse came to light after her mother returned from work.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)