Village kotwar held for rape of 8-year-old girl

Raipur: A village kotwar was arrested for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district on Wednesday.Police said the child was playing with a friend near her house when the kotwar, who is a local functionary entrusted with assisting the administration at the grassroots level, allegedly called the two girls to him. Investigators said he first sent one of the girls to a nearby shop on the pretext of getting some stuff and started a conversation with the second girl.Police said the kotwar then lured the minor to his house with the offer of watching TV and raped her inside the house, which was empty.The matter came to light after the child returned home and narrated the ordeal to her family members, who subsequently approached the police.The child also said that the kotwar threatened her and forced her to consume some liquid before committing the offence. Police officials said all aspects of the allegations are being verified as part of the investigation.Police have registered a case under provisions of BNS and POCSO Act. The man was taken into custody and later arrested after preliminary investigation and collection of evidence, officials said.Officials said the child has undergone medical examination and a detailed statement will be recorded once she’s in right state of mind. The case has sparked anger in the village, with residents expressing shock that the allegations involve a person holding a position of responsibility within the community.