Shekhar Gupta (22) was arrested for the rape and murder of his neighbour Priti Madheshiya (8) from Thane.

Priti was home alone at 8.30 pm, Thursday, when Gupta lured her with a chocolate bar and took her to a forested area. He allegedly raped and killed her by hitting her with a boulder.

The police search team found the body yesterday morning.

Vijay Jagtap, senior inspector of Vartak Nagar police station, said, "We suspected Gupta when we found scratch marks on his hands and face. During interrogation, he confessed to his crime."

A case has been registered with the Vartak Nagar police station and the accused has been arrested under section 302 of the IPC (murder) and section 376 (1) rape. Gupta will be taken to Thane court on Saturday.