New Delhi, April 27: The cleric of the madrassa in Ghaziabad where a 10-year-old girl was raped by a juvenile last week has been arrested by the Delhi Police. The cleric has been lodged behind the bars after booking him under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

The cleric was named in the complaint registered by the victim's father. Although the 34-year-old did not assault the minor, he was aware of the crime being perpetrated against her, the complainant alleged.

The girl was raped on April 21, after she was lured to the madrassa by the accused juvenile from a local market. While recording her statement before the magistrate on April 23, the victim said the juvenile took her to the madrassa to meet his friends.

The girl was not only sexually assaulted, but kept under confinement at the madrassa for over a day. She was rescued by the Delhi Police team which tracked the CCTV footage and reached the madrassa on April 22.

The 17-year-old accused was arrested from the madrassa and has been sent to the juvenile home after recording his statements.

The victim's father has appealed for maximum punishment against the cleric, the juvenile rapist and his friends who assisted him. The police said it would prepare a water-tight case against all the accused seeking a strict verdict.

As per the amended POCSO Act, rape of a girl below the age of 12 could attract a maximum punishment of death. Meanwhile, the minimum punishment has been raised from 7-year imprisonment to 10 years of rigorous jail.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2018 10:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).