Patna: Police have arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the attempted rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Patna, cracking the case within three days. The accused, Ranjit Kumar, was arrested after an intensive investigation.
The case came to light on April 23 when the girl's body was found wrapped in a blanket in a narrow lane near her home. She had gone missing a day earlier while returning after delivering milk. A special investigation team was formed under the supervision of City SP (East) Parichay Kumar.
Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said the accused tried to rape the girl and, on failing, killed her by crushing her head with a stone grinder. "This multi-pronged approach led to the identification and arrest of Ranjit, who lived in a rented room close to the crime scene. During interrogation, the accused confessed that he used to sell goods, including stickers, from a cart and was trying to lure the girl for about one and a half months by offering her small items or money," he said.
Sharma said on April 22, the accused lured the girl into his room. "When she sensed danger and attempted to scream, he struck her repeatedly on the head with the stone grinder, resulting in her death," he said. "After the murder, Ranjit wrapped the body in a blanket and later tried to dispose of it around 2 am. On spotting a police patrol vehicle, he panicked, dumped the body in a lane and fled," the SSP said.
Police recovered the weapon, blood-stained items and other evidence. Five persons were also arrested for allegedly obstructing the investigation.
