Six-year-old sexual assault victim recovering: Doctors

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) A six-year-old girl who was found unconscious near a public toilet in Badarpur, south Delhi, with critical injuries Friday is recovering, a doctor treating her said Sunday.

"The six-year-old is recovering. She is still in the ICU at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. We are closely monitoring her and there is a risk of infection in her private parts and neck," Biplab Mishra, trauma surgeon at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre, told IANS.

Doctors said that the child, whose throat was slit, is on a liquid and semi-solid diet.

"We have started to give her semi-solid food like mashed banana and liquids today (Sunday). We might start on solid diet from tomorrow," Mishra said.

Doctors added that a sample of tissue and liquid from the rectal-vaginal parts of the girl have been sent for medical examination to confirm whether it was a case of rape.

"There is severe damage to the anal canal. The medical reports are yet to come and it would confirm whether it was a rape. She has suffered severe rectal-vaginal injuries and there is evidence of penetration. The report would go straight to police officers," the doctor added.

A passer-by spotted the girl lying unconscious and informed police Friday. Policemen took the girl to hospital.

The victim's uncle said the girl had gone to relieve herself at a public toilet in Badarpur in south Delhi, close to her house, when the assault occurred.

"Her neck had a deep injury caused by a sharp-edged weapon. She was found naked," the victim's 30-year-old uncle said.

Police are yet to nab the attacker. The public toilet's contractor has been detained.

The child's father is a balloon-seller.