Patna Police Apprehend Duo in Heinous Crime Against Toddler
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Patna police arrested one Manjeet Kumar, also known as Piyush, along with his maternal aunt, Kiran Devi, on Tuesday. They are accused of the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl and a subsequent attempt to murder the child to conceal the crime.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to police reports, Manjeet had arrived at his grandmother's residence in Patna approximately a week prior to attend a wedding ceremony. On Monday night, around 9:30 PM, he is alleged to have forcibly taken the toddler from a neighboring house after she had finished her dinner. The accused then brought the young girl to his aunt's home, where the horrific assault reportedly occurred.
Authorities state that Kiran Devi conspired with her nephew in this act. After the rape, they allegedly attempted to kill the unconscious child to hide evidence. When the girl's family and police arrived at the scene following reports of her disappearance, they discovered the toddler injured and unconscious inside a locked room.
Police Investigation and Rescue Operation
A senior police officer provided a detailed account of the rescue. Initially, when officers inquired at the accused's house, Kiran Devi denied any knowledge of the girl's whereabouts. However, upon a second visit at 3 AM on Tuesday, police intensified their questioning, mentioning the deployment of a dog squad. This pressure led Kiran to reveal that the girl was inside a bolted room.
The police promptly broke open the door, finding the child unconscious. She was immediately rushed to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. A subsequent medical examination confirmed the rape, leading to the registration of a case under the stringent Pocso Act on Tuesday, which resulted in the arrests of both Manjeet and Kiran.
Criminal History and Interrogation Findings
During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused and his aunt had planned to dispose of the girl's body, believing she was dead. The police officer noted, "They thought that she was dead and were planning to dispose of her body when the team finally rescued her."
Alarmingly, Manjeet Kumar has a prior criminal record related to similar offenses. He was previously jailed under the Pocso Act in another area of Patna in 2023 and had been released from prison only a few months before this incident. Police indicated that he had committed a comparable crime about three years ago while visiting his in-laws' place, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.
The girl remains hospitalized and is undergoing treatment for her injuries. This case underscores ongoing concerns about child safety and the enforcement of laws designed to protect minors from sexual violence.
