Dholak maker from Rajasthan held for raping 5-year-old Boisar girl

MUMBAI: A dholak (hand drum) maker from Rajasthan has been arrested for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl and injuring her minor brother's private parts in Boisar in March.
The girl was sleeping in her hut at Dandipada, when two unidentified men, in their early 20s, picked her up and walked towards an isolated spot at around 3 am on March 29. They sexually abused her even as she was crying for help.Her 16-months-old brother, who was sleeping besides his sister, saw her being taken away. He followed her but was assaulted on the head by the two men. They banged him on the ground and even inflicted injuries on his private parts. Her parents, who are rag pickers, and three other siblings were fast asleep in their hutment. The girl returned home crying and that is when her parents and other siblings woke up.
All that the girl, who was being treated at Nair hospital, told the police was that a 'Dafliwala' (one who plays tambourine) had taken her away. Investigations revealed that a youngster making dholkas and residing in the same locality was missing.
The accused Anil Shaikh was tracked down to Kota in Rajasthan. After reaching his home, he continued to make and sell dholaks. His accomplice who is absconding is a resident of Uttar Pradesh. Both were believed to have been drunk when they picked up the girl. Meanwhile, the girl and her brother are recovering at their home.