A seven-year-old girl is battling for her life at Purnea sadar hospital after a youth allegedly raped and tried to kill her.

The accused has been identified as Vikram Rai, 22, a resident of Kohalia under the jurisdiction of Forbesganj police station. He allegedly raped the minor on Saturday evening and tried to kill her.

The girl was found in the College Chowk area of the town near Forbesganj Bazaar on National Highway-57 on Sunday morning.

She was rushed to Forbesganj referral hospital and referred to the sadar hospital, around 375km northeast of Patna. Doctors at the hospital confirmed the rape and said the girl had suffered internal injuries.

The father of the victim has lodged a complaint against Vikram, who has been absconding since Sunday.

Describing their ordeal, the victim’s mother said: “Our neighbours told us that they had seen my daughter with Vikram on Saturday. When she did not return home till night, we went to Vikram’s house. But we did not find him there. On Sunday, we got information that our daughter had been found near College Chowk.”

Forbesganj sub-divisional police officer Raj Kumar Sah said: “A case has been registered against Vikram under sections 376(1), 307 and 326 of the Indian Penal Code. We have been tracking his cellphone, and we know that he is on the run. Vikram would be arrested soon.”