Sketch of alleged child rapist released by Mumbai Police

Mumbai: The Pant Nagar police have released a sketch of a suspect who is alleged to have raped a four-year-old girl on April 8 in Ghatkopar.

"The drawing was made based on the descriptions given by the victim who was recently discharged from the hospital after undergoing treatment, and two people from the locality that saw the unknown accused taking the girl," said a police officer from Pant Nagar police station.

On April 8, Archana Talwalkar's (name changed) three daughters were asleep in the house, when she left to visit a neighbour at 11.30 pm. Her husband Harish had gone to meet a colleague. When Archana returned she was surprised to see the door lock broken, and her four-year-old daughter missing. Next day, at around 10 am, a few locals found the victim unconscious near the creek and had informed the cops.

According to the cops, an unidentified person kidnapped the victim from her home at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar (East) at around 11.30 pm and later dumped her near the creek, which is close to the house. Cops have now launched a manhunt for the unknown accused, and suspect that someone from the locality may have committed the offence.

Rape stats
According to annual crime statistics, released by the cops, 219 rape cases were registered last year in comparison to 192 cases in 2010. Out of which, the father of the victim committed six, nine by a relative, and 26 by a neighbour. While 65 cases of rape were committed by making a false promise of marriage, unknown people raped 113. Out of the total figure, 140 minor girls were reported raped.