87-Year-Old Bedridden Woman Allegedly Raped By Man Who Broke Into Her House

Police have arrested a man for allegedly raping an 87-year-old bedridden woman after breaking into her home. The incident reportedly happened when the woman's daughter, who lived with her, stepped out.

The shocking case of sexual assault was reported in the Indian capital of Delhi Sunday afternoon, reported News 18.

According to officers, the ailing elderly woman lived with her 67-year-old daughter. At the time of the incident, the daughter had gone out to meet her friend. Upon learning that the bed-ridden woman was alone at home, the accused, identified as 30-year-old Ankit, broke into the house.

Seeing the man, the victim questioned him. He, however, told her that he was there for domestic work and had been summoned by her daughter. Though the woman felt suspicious and tried to scream for help, the accused overpowered her and assaulted her brutally.

He then decamped with her mobile phone, police said. When the woman's daughter returned, she was shocked to find her mother lying on the floor in an injured condition. The woman's family immediately alerted the police.

A special team was formed for the investigation, and officers soon zeroed in on the culprit within hours. "The accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact motive of the accused behind the crime," a senior police official told News 18.

The police added that Ankit lived in a nearby locality and had been working as a sweeper. Officers also recovered the victim's stolen mobile phone from him.

The accused has been charged with theft, voluntarily causing hurt and rape. The police also denied allegations that they were lax in investigating the crime.

A similar incident was reported recently in the U.K wherein a 59-year-old man was arrested for trying to rape an 89-year-old retiree. Police said the man, a registered sex offender, was recently released from prison. He approached the woman on learning that she was looking for a lodger. When she opened the door, the man assaulted her with his fingers. Police said he attempted to rape an elderly woman because he wanted to get sent back to prison rather than live in his tent.