A 2.5-year-old girl was allegedly raped and later killed by her mother’s partner in Mumbai, while the woman watched the horrific act, officials said on Monday.

The Mumbai Police has arrested the woman, identified as Reena Shaikh, and her partner, Farhan Shaikh, under charges of murder and child sexual abuse.

The toddler was brutally assaulted and subsequently killed in the Malvani area.

Police were alerted by a local hospital after the child was brought in and declared dead. Doctors informed the police that the girl had been sexually assaulted and died due to shock caused by asphyxia.

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the assault took place in the presence of the child’s mother. Police alleged that Reena not only failed to intervene during the crime but also misled medical staff when she brought the child to the hospital, claiming the girl had suffered seizures.

Police have registered a case under various sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, along with Pocso Act sections 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault), 10 (aggravated sexual assault) and 21 (failure to report).

Both the accused are currently in police custody and further investigation into the matter is underway.