New Delhi - A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped for three
months by three men including a 65-year-old watchman in India's
central city of Bhopal, police said Saturday.
The accused lived in the same neighbourhood and sexually assaulted
the girl at a house owned by a woman, an accomplice in the crime.
The girl had complained to her mother, a domestic helper, about the
abuse on Thursday after which they approached the police.
"The girl told us that the woman had offered her chocolates to lure
her to her house where the accused committed the crime. They later
threatened her not to tell anyone about it," police officer Shivnath
Yaduvanshi said, adding that the abuse had been occurring since
August.
"We have arrested all four, including the woman for helping the men
assault her. Neighbours angered [by] the crime also thrashed some of
the accused," he added.
The accused face charges of gang-rape and have been sent to jail
pending trial.
India has been in the spotlight in recent years over incidents of
sexual violence against women. In 2012, the fatal gang rape of a
student on a bus in New Delhi led to massive public outcry and
tougher laws.