Minor raped in Aluva: 22-year-old arrested

KOCHI: The Aluva East police on Saturday arrested a man for raping a 7 year old girl. The arrested was identified as Muhammad Ashiq (22) an odd job worker from Veliyathunadu near UC College, Aluva who was the neighbour of the victim. According to police, the incident took palce nearly a month ago when the girl, whose parents were away from home, went to the accused’s house. The accused took advantage of the situation and raped her in his home. The incident came to light when the girl's parents noticed that she was afraid to sleep at night and was unable to concentrate in her studies. The concerned parents took the girl to a counsellor to whom she revealed the horrific incident. A case was registered as per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) section 5 on Friday following which police arrested the accused from his home in Aluva on Saturday evening.