Kolkata, Dec 1 (NationPress) A 45-year-old man has been apprehended on allegations of raping a 10-year-old girl in the West Midnapore district of West Bengal, as reported by the police on Monday.

The accused was presented before a court specializing in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Midnapore, where the judge remanded him to two days' police custody.

In the aftermath of the incident, community members have called for severe punishment for the perpetrator.

As per police reports, the incident occurred on Sunday morning while the girl's parents, who reside in the Narayangarh police station area of West Midnapore district, were away at work. The young girl went to a nearby tube well to fetch water. Allegedly, the man, who is their neighbor, called her over. The accused lives adjacent to the girl's residence, and she referred to him as Jethu (uncle). It is claimed that he assaulted her when the house was empty.

Upon her return home, the girl’s mother found her lying on the bed and inquired about her condition. The girl then broke down and recounted the horrifying events to her mother.

A neighbor also informed the girl's mother that she had witnessed the accused taking the minor inside his home.

Subsequently, the girl’s mother lodged a formal complaint at the Narayangarh police station. Acting on this complaint, the police arrested the accused on Sunday night.

A senior officer from the West Midnapore district police stated, "The accused was presented before the Midnapore district court today, where we requested police custody. The POCSO court judge granted a two-day custody for further questioning. An investigation into the matter is underway."

This incident has sparked public outrage within the community, as residents were appalled to learn that a man whom the girl called uncle could be capable of such a heinous act. They are demanding exemplary punishment for the offender.