A man was arrested in west Delhi’s Rohini for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in a graveyard under the pretence of performing occult rituals. The victim’s complaint revealed that the accused, Mohammad Sharif (52), posed as an occultist and lured the girl to a graveyard in Kanjhawala, claiming he could cure her ailing father through 'tantra' practices.

The alleged incident occurred on Monday when the accused had initially visited the girl's home and convinced her father, a vegetable vendor suffering from a chronic illness, to send his daughter with him for a ritual. The girl returned home later that day, but she was silent and fell ill the next day. 

Police stated that the accused also threatened the girl, warning her not to disclose the assault or her father would die. A medical examination at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital reportedly confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.

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The girl's family reported the assault to the police on Tuesday, leading to the registration of an FIR under section 65(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police arrested the accused shortly after the incident was reported. 

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''A call regarding sexual assault of a girl was received at Kanjhawala police station on Tuesday. Police team was sent to the spot. We have arrested Mohammad Sharif. Further investigation is underway,” a senior police officer said. 

(With PTI Inputs)