RAIPUR: A minor girl was raped by her cousin who beat her black and blue when she resisted and left her alone severely injured assuming that she was dead, in the forests of Dhamtari district The girl has sustained severe head injuries and was admitted at hospital.The 12-year-old girl hailing from Baloda Bazaar district was on a visit to her maternal uncle's home at Mudpar village in Dhamtari district when her 21-year-old cousin Premshankar lured her of taking her on a bicycle ride to the village on June 20.As the girl felt safe with her cousin, she readily agreed and went with him. Premshankar then took her to an isolated place at a mine and forced himself upon her.Police said that based on girl's statement, the accused repeatedly beat her when she resisted and raped her, later, in an attempt to save himself from the accusations, he hit the girl on her head with rock multiple times, strangulated her and also tried to dig a pit to bury her.But as it started raining he fled the spot assuming her to be already dead. The rain however, stirred the minor girl from her unconscious state and she somehow dragged herself to her home.Meanwhile, the parents were already out on her search as it was more than five hours she wasn't seen around. The girl narrated the incident to her parents. The infuriated parents immediately reported the matter to police alleging rape and attempt to murder.The girl was admitted at district hospital in Dhamtari as she has sustained injuries of head, hand and a swollen face. Premshankar was roaming in the village itself when the villagers got to know about the incident and they got hold of him before handling him over to police.Police investigated the matter and lodged an FIR against Premshankar under Section 363, 307 and 376 of POCSO Act and arrested him.

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