Three arrested for rape of minor girl in Patna

Patna: Three people were arrested from Nalanda district on Friday in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old minor schoolgirl in the state capital.The case came to light when the girl’s mother and grandmother lodged a complaint with the Bihar State Women Commission. The victim, a class VIII student, from Nalanda district, was allegedly lured by the accused on the pretext of taking her to a hotel for a meal on Sept 8. Instead, the accused took her to an undisclosed location and committed the crime, police said.The incident came to light when the girl returned home from school with bloodstains on her uniform, raising alarm among her family members. According to the complaint filed by the girl’s mother, who is visually impaired, the child was dropped at the school at 7am. Upon her return, the girl was visibly shaken. Initially, she did not disclose the incident, but the following day, she confided in her mother about the ordeal.Local SHO said, “The accused, identified as 34-year-old Neelmani, allegedly lured the girl to an undisclosed location offering her a meal at a hotel, where he committed the crime. The girl was reportedly threatened by Neelmani, who told her to inform him if she became pregnant, assuring her that he would arrange for an abortion. The police acted swiftly, arresting three people in connection with the case. Among those arrested, Neelmani is the main accused, while the other two minors are his associates.”The Bihar State Women Commission, upon receiving the complaint, immediately contacted the police, leading to the registration of the case at the local police station. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to expedite the investigation, resulting in the arrest made in Nalanda district. “The girl was taken in a car by the accused. The medical examination of the girl has been conducted at the sadar hospital,” the SHO added.