Bahraich (UP), June 24: In a gruesome incident a one-and-a-half-year-old girl died after being raped by a man on Tuesday in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. 

 

The accused, who was later nabbed by the villagers tried to escape from police custody while being taken to court but was overpowered after being shot in the leg, police said.

 

The toddler was sleeping in an open courtyard on Monday night when the accused (30) picked her up and raped her at a deserted school building nearby, ASP (Rural) Ashok Kumar told reporters.

 

When the parents did not find their girl early morning on Tuesday, a search began. When he was found, she was found profusely bleeding. The accused, who was also with the victim, was caught by the villagers and handed over to the police, the ASP said.

 

The girl was admitted to the hospital where she succumbed to injuries later in the day, he said.

 

A case under charges of murder and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was lodged against the accused.

 

While being taken to court in the afternoon for remand, the 30-year-old attacked the police team and tried to escape from the spot, SHO of the area police station Sanjay Singh said.

 

Police fired in the air but the accused did not stop and so was shot in the leg, the SHO said, adding that he was arrested and sent to court for remand following a medical examination.

 

The ASP said charges under the National Security Act will also be invoked against the accused.

 

The girl’s father said he frantically searched for his missing daughter along with other villagers only to find her in such a bad state in the nearby school.