According to Assistant Police Inspector, Devidas Kale who is investigating the case, Navnath Gaikwad (25), the accused, had taken the victim on Kopri bridge near Turbhe on the pretext of teaching her how to ride a bicycle.

For the last two months, the accused was training the victim to ride a bicycle. The accused resided in nearby area and visited his aunt, who resides next to victim, for food. This was how the victim and the accused knew each other.

On Friday, the accused took her to Kopri Bridge on the pretext of training her. He then took her below the bridge which is a desolated place and tried raping her. When she resisted and threatened she would tell her mother about the incident, he tried to strangle her with her dupatta.

“The victim fell unconscious for some time after which Jadhav fled the spot. The girl, after regaining consciousness, alerted the passers-by,” said Kale.