In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old girl was raped and then set on fire by a village youth who accused her of having an affair with his married brother.
The incident took place on Sunday in Dharampura Jagir village in Orai district and the victim was admitted to the district hospital with 90 per cent burns where she succumbed to the injuries later in the night.
According to police reports, one Kuldip aka Kallu of the same village had, on several occasions, accused the girl of having an illicit affair with his elder brother Jhallu and had publicly reprimanded her for the same.
Since the girl refused to terminate the illicit relationship, Kuldip apparently decided to teach her a lesson and raped and set her on fire on Sunday evening.
The girl, in her last statement, told the police that Kuldip was accompanied by his friend Nawal Kishore who has been arrested.
She told the police that Kuldip barged into her house when she was alone and raped her. Later, he poured kerosene on her and set her on fire before escaping.
The girl, wrapped in flames, tried to run out of the house but slumped near the front door.
Neighbours, who saw her, rushed to douse the flames and then took her to the hospital.
The girl’s parents, who had gone to their nearby fields arrived at the district hospital soon after. SP Rakesh Shankar told reporters that the victim’s statements had been recorded before her death and the police had launched a hunt for Kuldip and his brother Jhallu, both of whom are now absconding.