21-month-old girl raped and murdered by father's friend in Surat

SURAT: A 21-month-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by a man in her neighbourhood of Sachin in Gujarat's Surat on Monday.
The minor was kidnapped by the accused on Monday night and was taken to an isolated location where he allegedly raped her. He later dumped the body near a lake. The girl's body was found early on Tuesday.
Police identified the accused as Yusuf alias Ismail, a friend of the victim's father. He used to play with the girl and would often take her out to buy her something to eat.
On Monday, he took her away but did not return after a long time after which the family began a search. The family alerted the police as well. A preliminary post-mortem report has confirmed rape and murder.
The accused has been booked for rape and murder under Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He has also been booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
"The accused raped the minor and later killed her. The deceased girl knew the accused since he used to play with her often," said a police officer.