8-year-old girl raped and murdered in Palghar; son of ex-sarpanch held

An eight-year-old girl attending a birthday party in Maharashtra’s Palghar district was sexually assaulted and murdered by a 21-year-old man. The victim’s body was found near a village graveyard, prompting an investigation that led to the suspect’s arrest. He faces charges under murder and POCSO Act provisions.