Three held for sexual assault bid on minor boy

Three people, including a minor, have been arrested for kidnapping a six-year-old boy from his house in the night and attempting to sexually assault him, police said Thursday.

The incident was reported in the wee hours Thursday from Begumpur on the western outskirts of the city.

Police said the victim was sleeping with his mother inside his house Wednesday night when the three accused, all neighbours, spirited him away.

"The victim's mother found him missing around 2.30 a.m. Thursday. She initially tried to find him out, but later approached police when she failed to find him," said a police officer.

According to the officer, police swung into action and recovered the boy from a secluded place, which was a few meters away from his house, where he was taken by the accused.

"The accused had attacked the victim with a blade leaving him with an injury on his neck, but they failed to sexually assault him. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors stated his condition was stable," said the officer.

Dharmendra, 30, Ravinder, 22, and a 16-year-old boy were taken into custody from Begumpur area during investigation.

The minor accused has been sent to the juvenile justice home while the other two have been sent to judicial custody by a district court.