A drunken man allegedly raped a minor girl and attacked another in Sahibpur Kamal area of Begusarai district of Bihar on the evening of Holi on Wednesday.
Both the minor girls were playing on the premises of a government school when accused Chhotu Mahto, the son of former sarpanch Govind Mahto, raped one of them.
According to family members, Mahto – in an inebriated state – tried to chase the girls away. In fear, they took shelter in the school washroom.
Sensing the opportunity, the accused barged into the washroom and violated a seven-year-old girl. When her friend made a noise in an attempt to save her, he attacked her.
Both girls were admitted to the district civil hospital where they were undergoing treatment.
Local police rushed to the spot and arrested the accused.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“We reached the crime scene as soon as we received the information and arrested the accused within an hour of the incident,” said deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Nishit Priya.
Speaking to media persons, a local said, “I was returning from the market when I saw him. He was drunk… Someone heard both girls crying, no one could not anything.”
The health of the survivors is said to be in a serious state.
Tensions were running high in the village as the family of the girls demand strict punishment for the accused. The administration has deployed police force in the village to avoid any untoward incident.