NAROWAL: A 75-year-old man was caught red-handed on Wednesday after raping a minor, mentally-challenged girl, who was later hospitalised in a critical condition.

According to police sources, eight-year-old daughter of labourer Rafiq, a resident of Nivin Rasulpura village on the outskirts of Narowal city, was playing in the street, when the septuagenarian suspect, a resident of the same village, lured her to a cattle pen and raped her, leaving her critically injured.

On hearing the girl’s screams, locals rushed to the spot and caught the suspect red-handed. He was later handed over to police.

The girl was immediately shifted to hospital in a critical condition.

DPO Hafiz Wahid Mahmood, taking notice of the incident, ordered the police to take strict legal action against the suspect.

Saddar police have registered an FIR against the suspect on the complaint of her father, and started investigations after receiving initial medical report.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2022