LUCKNOW, July 11 -- In a swift response by police, a youth accused of raping a 7-year-old Dalit girl was arrested within 10 hours and a charge sheet was filed against him within 24 hours after the crime was reported, authorities said on Thursday.

The girl was allegedly raped by the 20-year-old accused, Suchit Yadav, in Gauri Gali area of Swanapur village, within Malihabad police station limits on Wednesday evening.

"In a remarkable feat, the Lucknow Police Commissionerate completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet within 24 hours, a first in Uttar Pradesh, aligning with the state government's intent for swift justice," a senior police officer privy to the investigation said.

According to officials investigating the matter and...