In a disturbing incident in west Delhi’s Peeragarhi, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 27-year-old neighbour on Thursday morning. Police officials, who are aware of the matter, stated that the suspect was apprehended late in the evening on the same day.

The girl’s father, expressing concerns over the suspect belonging to a different community, prompted the district police to step up security in the area to prevent any communal tension. However, investigations by the police have not revealed any communal angle thus far, they clarified.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram, the police control room received a distress call regarding the rape of the minor in Peeragarhi village around noon. "A police team promptly responded and the girl was immediately taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital for medical attention," he stated.

The victim's father, a 30-year-old rickshaw puller, recounted that he had left for work around 9 am, leaving his wife, their infant daughter, and the victim at home. The suspect, a neighbour living next door with his brother and sister-in-law, while his wife and children reside in their native village, committed the heinous act. "My wife had given birth to our younger daughter just 15 days ago. She was resting when our elder daughter went outside the house. The suspect lured her with the promise of giving her chocolates and then took her to a room where he assaulted her," the distressed father narrated.