The barbaric assault "has shaken me to the core", Arvind Kerjriwal tweeted in Hindi
A 12-year-old girl raped and tortured inside her home in Delhi is in a critical state and under observation after her surgery at AIIMS hospital. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, describing it as a barbaric crime, said he had spoken to the police chief and a hunt was on for the attacker.
"The child is in a serious state, unconscious. A surgery has been done. She will be under observation for 24 to 48 hours," Mr Kejriwal said after a visit to AIIMS. He said he would get the best lawyer on the case and ensure that the attacker got the toughest punishment.
The girl was bleeding incessantly and had severe wounds on her body when she was taken to hospital.
Before his visit to the hospital, Mr Kejriwal tweeted that the savage assault "has shaken me to the core. Such predators roaming free cannot be tolerated."
The girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and attacked with a sharp object when she was alone at home in west Delhi on Tuesday. The attacker escaped. An attempt to murder case has been registered besides one under a stringent law for sexual crimes on children.
Neighbours found the girl lying in blood and informed her parents and the police. The police are questioning residents in the area and scanning security footage.
The girl was first taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS after preliminary treatment. According to reports, she was constantly bleeding.
"We received information on Tuesday regarding the assault of a minor girl. An FIR under section 307 (attempt to murder) and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act has been registered and further investigation is underway," senior police officer A Koan said.
Initial investigations reveal that the girl's parents were away at work when she was assaulted. According to the police, she was struck on her head and face with a sharp object multiple times.
The Delhi Commission for Women has sought a report from the police by Saturday.
"Reportedly, the girl was brutally raped and then the culprit(s) tried to kill her. Presently, she is fighting for her life in AIIMS, Delhi. It is reported that she was attacked with blunt objects and has injuries all over her body. This is a very serious matter," the panel said.