Police have arrested a man for allegedly raping his 12-year-old speech-impaired niece in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria.

The incident happened in Panchbita village, under Araishidha union of the upazila on Friday night, said Jabed Mahmud, officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashuganj Police Station today.

The arrestee, Delwar Mia, is a cousin of the victim's mother, our Brahmanbaria correspondent reports quoting police officials.

Quoting family members, OC Jabed Mahmud said Delwar picked up the girl while she was going to a neighbour's house to deliver some vegetables on the day.

The man later took the girl to a deserted place and raped her, said the police official.

When the girl managed to scream during the incident, locals rescued the girl and caught Delwar red-handed, said the OC. 

On information, a police team reached the spot yesterday morning and arrested Delwar, said OC Jabed.

The victim's family members alleged that influential leaders of village pressured them to go for mediation, but they refused it and informed the police.

The girl was admitted to Brahmanbaria 250-Bed General Hospital for medical test, said the OC, adding that they have already asked the girl's family to file a case in this connection.