New Delhi: 8-year-old homeless girl raped by sweeper

 An 8-year-old girl, who was sleeping on a footpath along with her parents at Connaught Place in Lutyens' Delhi, was allegedly raped by an acquaintance, police said.

The incident took place on the intervening night of July 7 and 8, they said.

The minor girl was picked up by the accused who used to work as a sweeper in the area. He then took her to a desolate spot and sexually assaulted her, police said.

The accused, who was known to the victim's family, then dumped the girl at a nearby spot and fled from the scene.

The victim's parents later informed the police about the incident.

The police has launched a hunt to trace the culprit.