In a shocking incident, a rape attempt was made on a 90-year-old widow, who is a cancer patient, in Kadakkal area of Kollam district. Her neighbour, who was armed with a knife, was the alleged culprit, police said on Wednesday.

The woman gave a statement to the police in which she accused her neighbour Babu for the incident.

"The accused entered my house through the back door. This can be done only by someone who knows the house well," she said. 

"I pleaded with him not to harm me but he did not listen... I want the police to arrest the accused," she said.

The incident took place on the midnight of September 13, but came to light only on Wednesday. The victim’s relatives were not ready to give her proper treatment or legal assistance.

Kollam Rural Superintendent of Police Ajitha Begum told the media that police officials had taken the victim's statement.

"An FIR has been registered. We will probe the incident by speaking to her relatives and those who met her after the incident," said Begum.

The victim was living alone in the house after her husband’s death 20 years ago.