The condition of an eight-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a neighbour in Tirupur is improving.
However, she remains disturbed and is being provided psychological assistance, doctors at a private hospital in Coimbatore, where she had been admitted to, said on Tuesday.
As per a complaint lodged with the police, the girl was alone at her home on April 12. Her neighbour Kannan, 23, hailing from Kattumannar Koil in Cuddalore district, entered the house and raped the girl. He was reportedly inebriated.
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The incident came to light when her mother returned home in the evening and found the girl unconscious.
The family belongs to Ernakulam district and the mother works at a garment unit in Tirupur. Tirupur Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Singh told The Hindu that the girl was out of danger.
The police had registered a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) and also invoked Section 5 of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act.
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A case had also been registered against three friends of Kannan - Devendran, 27, Raja, 40, and Saravanan, 45, - under Section 506 (i) of the Indian Penal Code for intimidating the victim’s mother.
They were alleged to have consumed liquor together earlier.
They had threatened her to remain silent and not inform others or prefer a complaint of rape with the police.
The public and political parties staged demonstrations demanding the arrest of the accused and compensation for the victim and her mother.
They also demanded a government job for the mother.
The girl was first admitted to the Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore. Tirupur Collector G. Govindaraj called on the victim at the hospital and made arrangements for shifting her to the private hospital.