The rapist, identified as Mohammed Shafiq Aukat Ali Sheikh (22), has been arrested. Police said he was last seen with the girl on Tuesday evening.The girl was found lying in a pool of blood in flat No 403, on the fourth floor of Agari Housing Society, Zakaria Compound, not far away from her house. Senior Police Inspector Bhikaji Rasam attached to the Bhandup police station told Express Newsline that one Gulam Hussain Khan, who occupies flat no. 404 in the building, heard a child crying in flat no 403 late last night. Since the flat, owned by one of his relatives, was under renovation he had a key to it. When he opened the door he found the girl lying unconscious bleeding profusely. He recognised the girl as he had seen her playing in the neighbourhood and immediately took her to her relatives who livednearby. She was subsequently rushed to the Mulund General Hospital where she was declared dead before admission.

A post-mortem conducted at the Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar revealed that she had died of excessive bleeding. A medical report on a deep scar on her neck is awaited. Neighbours said the alleged rapist, a resident of nearby Millat Nagar, used to visit the girl's house quite frequently. He was often seen with the girl and used to buy her chocolates and sweets.

The Bhandup police have registered a case of abduction, rape and murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code against Sheikh. He would be produced before a Magistrate at the Mulund Court on Thursday, they said. Only last Monday an eight-year-old was raped at Sakinaka when she had gone out to play in a park with her brother. No arrests have been made so far in this case.