A 28-year-old man was arrested in Latur district on Friday for allegedly raping an 8-year-old girl in Halgara village, located in Nilanga tehsil, police said. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the rural community, took place on Wednesday afternoon, February 26, and was reported after the child returned home in distress.
The accused, identified as Karim Imam Muva, was apprehended by the Aurad Shahajani police following a swift investigation. Assistant Inspector Vitthal Durpade, who is overseeing the case, stated that Muva lured the girl under the pretext of running an errand. “He asked her to fetch betel nuts from a local shop and gave her money for it,” Durpade said. “When she returned to his residence after finding the shop closed, he committed the crime.”
The assault came to light when the girl, visibly traumatized, informed her family. A formal complaint was lodged, prompting immediate action from law enforcement. Muva was charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—India’s newly enacted criminal code—and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which provides stringent punishment for crimes against minors. “He faces charges of rape and other offenses under both laws,” Durpade confirmed, adding that the investigation is ongoing to ensure all evidence is meticulously documented.
Halgara, a small village in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, is known for its tight-knit community and agricultural lifestyle. The incident has left residents reeling, with many expressing outrage and demanding swift justice. “This is not something we expect here,” said a local resident, who requested anonymity. “Our children should be safe in their own village.”
The arrest comes amid heightened national scrutiny on crimes against children, with the POCSO Act serving as a cornerstone of India’s legal framework to protect minors. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra reported over 7,000 cases of crimes against children in 2023, a figure that underscores the persistent challenge of ensuring child safety, particularly in rural areas where awareness and resources can be limited.
Muva was produced before a local magistrate on Friday evening and remanded in custody as the police prepare to file a chargesheet. The victim, meanwhile, has been provided medical attention and counseling, though her family has declined to speak publicly. Authorities have assured that her identity will remain protected, in line with legal mandates.
The case is expected to proceed to trial in the coming weeks, with prosecutors likely to push for a fast-tracked process given the severity of the offense and the age of the victim. Community leaders in Halgara have called for calm, urging residents to support the family and allow the legal system to take its course.