Ice Cream Vendor Arrested for Attempted Rape of 6-Year-Old Girl in Shimla: Police Investigation Underway

Police have taken action by filing an FIR and apprehending the ice cream vendor. (Representational)

In Shimla district's Jhakri area, authorities have arrested a 45-year-old ice cream vendor after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a six-year-old girl, police officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to the police report, the incident came to light when the girl's mother filed a complaint stating that the vendor, a native of Rajasthan, had visited her shop and enticed her daughter to his ice cream cart by offering her free ice cream.

The mother explained that she initially did not notice her daughter's absence as she was occupied with customers. Upon realizing her daughter was missing, she began searching the area frantically.

When she approached the ice cream cart, she discovered the man attempting to rape her daughter. The mother stated that the suspect immediately fled the scene upon seeing her.

Following the complaint, law enforcement promptly registered a First Information Report and apprehended the ice cream vendor.

Authorities have filed charges against the suspect under section 64 (rape) and 62 (punishment for attempting to commit offenses punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012. The investigation continues as police gather additional evidence.