New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS): A teenaged Class 9 student fought off a rape bid in her own house here by an electricity contractor who thrust an iron rod into her throat to quell her cries for help, police said Tuesday. The accused has been arrested.

The victim, 19, who was attacked around 8.30 p.m. Monday in south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar, underwent a surgery in throat in the morning and is said to be in a critical condition, police said

Anil Kumar, an electricity distribution contractor, tried to rape the victim finding her alone at her house.

"Kumar went to the victim's home to collect monthly dues of the electricity. Finding her alone, he tried to rape her. He inserted an iron rod into her mouth when she was crying for help," said a police officer.

Hearing the victim's cries some neighbours came to help her but Kumar managed to flee from the spot. He was later arrested from the house of his maternal uncle in Faridabad in Haryana, police said.

"The victim sustained severe injuries in her mouth and bruises on the neck due to the attempted strangulation," officer added.

Earlier, police had said that victim was a 24-year-old woman but clarified after some time that the victim was a teenager.