Rajkot: Neighbour held for raping 12-year-old girl

RAJKOT: A 26-year-old man was held on Friday for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl who lived in his neighbourhood in Padadhari of Rajkot district.
Police said the accused, identified as Ankit Bawaji, had allegedly raped the girl on July 1.
According to the police, on the fateful day, the survivor got injured after her leg hit the door of her house. As the girl was bleeding, her mother asked asked Bawaji to take her to Padadhari Civil Hospital for dressing her wound.
“Bawaji took the girl on his bike to the hospital. On their way back after taking treatment, Bawaji took the girl to the bank of Aji River and allegedly raped her,” said M J Parmar, sub-inspector with Padadhari police station.
On Thursday, the survivor complained to her mother about stomach ache and confided her sordid tale to her. Subsequent of which her mother lodged the police complaint.
“We got the medical test of both Bawaji and the survivor done. We have at present kept Bawaji under detention. We will formally arrest him, once his Covid-19 test report arrives,” added Parmar.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)