Three detained in Ghaziabad child rape, murder case (Lead)

Ghaziabad April 1 (IANS) Three persons have been detained here in the alleged rape and murder case of a five-year-old girl police said on Saturday.

Ghaziabad SSP Deepak Kumar said the father and brother of the accused Afroz and one Alam have been detained.

A team of police has been sent to Khagaria in Bihar to where Afroz belongs. We hope to nab him shortly said the SSP.

Tension prevailed in Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad after the body of a five-year-old girl was found on Friday midnight.

The residents said she was raped and killed allegedly by a man from a different community -- further worsening the situation.

The girl a priest s daughter was missing since Thursday. Police recovered her body from a half-constructed house.

The residents said she was raped and murdered allegedly by Afroz a mason. The locals also alleged that though the girl was missing since Thursday police did not swing into action and were apathetic towards the issue.

Police however have not confirmed the rape allegation.

We have registered the case and raids are being conducted to nab the culprit. The allegation of rape could only be confirmed after the post-mortem report said SP City Salman Taj Patil.

But the crime is grave and we will arrest the culprit at the earliest he added.

Afroz had stayed in the priest s house as a tenant but was asked to leave after a spat.

According to the residents Afroz who had moved to a nearby house may have committed the crime to avenge the humiliation.

Tension gripped the entire area and heavy police force was deployed for extensive patrolling.

--IANS
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