Construction worker arrested for raping 7-year-old in Thane

Thane: A 45-year-old labourer was arrested Monday night for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl at a construction site in Thane city, police said on Tuesday.According to police, the incident occurred around 7.15pm when the accused, who was employed at the same site where the girl's family also resided and worked, allegedly lured the child to a secluded corner of the premises and sexually assaulted her.The girl narrated her ordeal to her parents, who were present at the site at the time. They approached the nearest police station and lodged a complaint against the accused.Acting swiftly on the complaint, police registered an offence under Sections 64(1) and 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — which pertain to rape and sexual assault on a girl under 12 years of age, respectively — along with relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was arrested the same night.Investigators said the child has been medically examined and her statement recorded. The accused has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Further investigation into the matter is underway, the police said.