Others in the village say they usually ignore “small incidents” but on this, they are all with Saudan Singh, backing him for approaching the police. “This is a matter that deserves to be addressed so that the girl gets justice,” said Puran Singh, head of Tarauli village.

Doctors in the Mathura hospital say Kamlesh’s condition is stable but warn that any infection can endanger her life. “She will have to be taken care of very well by the parents after she is shifted out,” said the hospital’s emergency ward officer.

The child’s parents say they cannot afford the treatment. “I hardly earn Rs 50-70 a day. I have told the doctors that I do not have the money to pay for the treatment. My girl’s life is in their hands now,” said Saudan Singh.

R K Chaturvedi, Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police, said: “We had taken immediate action in the matter, the culprit will not be spared. He is in jail and we have enough proof against him.”