Meerut (UP): A youth was arrested for rape and murder of a two-year-old girl in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, police sources said here on Sunday.
Police sources said that the victim was kidnapped around 1:30 am on Friday by Moish (20), who is a resident of Jajhiyana Purnia, Bihar.
"The accused sexually assaulted the girl in a drain," they said.
Police sources said that when the girl raised the alarm, the accused strangled her and disposed of her body in the drain.
"The victim's family caught Moish and handed him over to the police. Despite his attempts to mislead authorities, the family discovered the girl's body in the drain with the help of a flashlight. She was subsequently declared dead at the hospital," they said.
Police sources said that while being taken to court on Saturday evening, Moish escaped from police custody but was recaptured after a brief standoff during which he fired at police officers.
"The accused sustained bullet injuries to his legs in retaliatory firing and was arrested shortly," they said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Vipin Tada, confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine how the accused obtained a firearm.