The Thumba police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to rape, after the mother of a five-year-old girl lodged a complaint that her daughter was sexually harassed by a 16-year-old boy in the neighbourhood.
According to R. Jayasanil, sub-inspector, Thumba, the girl, the daughter of a migrant worker had gone to a neighbourhood shop from where the accused allegedly lured her with sweets to his home and subjected her to an act which is considered as rape.
The child returned home and complained of pain in her private parts, and described to her mother what had happened in the shop, following which the mother lodged the complaint.
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The accused, the police said, had gone to school on Thursday and had not returned home even late in the evening, and a hunt was on for him.