A 16-year-old boy was apprehended by the Pulianthope All Women police on charges of attempting to rape a five-year-old girl.
Sources said that while the child was alone in her house, the boy took her to his home on Thursday afternoon.
He reportedly beat the victim to keep her quiet and attempted to undress her.
On hearing the screams of the child, her mother rushed there and rescued her.
Angry relatives and neighbours of the family took to the street demanding action. A police officer said that as per the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, a case was booked and further proceedings were initiated.
Following the direction of the Juvenile Justice Board, he was lodged at a Special Observation Home for Boys.
