A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly abducting and molesting a 10-year-old girl in Rangpuri Pahari of south-west Delhi, the police said on Sunday.

The police said the victim, who lives with her parents, was playing outside her home with friends on January 20 when a neighbour tried to lure her with chocolates around 7 p.m.

However, the girl refused to go accompany him and continued playing with her friends. Her parents were at their respective workplaces when the incident was reported.

Kept an eye on girl

“The accused kept an eye on the girl. As soon as her friends left for their homes, the accused abducted her and rushed towards an isolated place. She tried to raise an alarm but he gagged her. The girl bit his hand and cried for help,” added a police officer said.

Hearing the girl’s cries for help, the locals rushed in her direction.

The accused tried to flee but was chased and caught by the locals.

A policeman on patrol duty also reached the spot after hearing the commotion. The accused was taken then to the police station for further investigation.

“A case under IPC Sections of 363 [kidnapping] and 354 [molestation], and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences [POCSO] Act has been registered at Vasant Kunj [South] police station. Medical examination of the victim was also conducted,” said a police officer.

The accused was in an inebriated condition at the time of arrest.

The police said he is unemployed.