Patna, Mar 22 (IANS): A sarpanch in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district has been taken into custody by the police for favouring a rape accused, an official said on Monday.

The police said that an accused named Vikash Kumar had allegedly raped a disabled minor girl in Gaighat village on Sunday night. As the victim resisted the act, her father and mother, who were sleeping in another room, rushed to the spot and caught the accused red-handed. The victim's father later handed over Kumar to sarpanch Sitaram Mahto, who promised him of taking a decision on the matter on Monday morning.

When the victim's father went to the sarpanch's house on Monday morning, he found that the accused had fled from there.

Subsequently, the victim's father approached the Gaighat police station and submitted a written complaint against Kumar and Mahto.

"We have taken Sitaram Mahto into custody. A search is on to nab main accused Kumar, who has been booked under the POCSO Act. Further investigation is on," said Narendra Kumar, the SHO of Gaighat police station.