Man held for raping minor daughter in Maharashtra

Palghar: A 40-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping his minor daughter in Vasai area of the district, police said today.

The accused (name with held to protect the girl's identity), who works in a grocery shop, raped his 12-year-old daughter 3-4 times in the last one year at their home when his wife had gone out for work, Nallasopara police station inspector Ravindra Badgujar said.

The girl did not tell her mother earlier about the offence out of fear, he said. However, she confided in her mother yesterday following which the latter filed a police complaint.

The accused was arrested late last night and offences were registered against him under sections 376 (rape) and 377 of IPC and sections 4, 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said.

The girl has been sent for medical examination, the police officer said adding that further investigation is on in the matter.