Minor girls raped by 54-year-old CR employee

A 9-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 54-year-old man who is a Central Railway pointsman at Gundghe (Karjat). The victim, who is a neighbour of the accused, Uttam Bhimji Shirsat, has been raped three-four times. The accused is also alleged to have threatened her against revealing the incident.

The victim, who kept quiet for a few weeks, told her mother about it on Tuesday. The Karjat police arrested the accused after the mother lodged a complaint. He and the victim were sent for medical examination and the reports are awaited.

It was on Tuesday (Aug 19) that the victim disclosed the matter. He used to lure her promising money to buy chocolates. The incident first occurred last month. The accused called her home and raped her and told her not to tell anyone. She kept quiet as she was scared. But the accused did this again and again, and the frustrated victim told her parents about it. The police complaint was lodged after this.

The accused, a married man, has accepted committing the crime. He will be produced in court on Thursday. He has been booked under section 376 (punishment for rape) and prevention of children from sexual offences Act 2012 (POCSO) of Indian Penal Code.

A police official in Karjat station said: “We have arrested the culprit. Both the victim and the accused have been sent for medical tests. We are trying to get more details.”