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Unnao gangrape: Accused uncle held for torching survivor’s house

The fire endangered the lives of the 14-year-old gangrape survivor, her infant son, and her three-month-old sister, among others.

Updated on: Apr 19, 2023, 19:58:40 IST
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KANPUR More than 24 hours after the house of a minor gangrape survivor was set ablaze in Unnao, police on Wednesday arrested her uncle for arson. The fire endangered the lives of the 14-year-old gangrape survivor, her infant son, and her three-month-old sister, among others.

Police have also recovered a lighter from the accused. (HT Photo)
Police have also recovered a lighter from the accused. (HT Photo)

The action comes after the siblings of the gangrape survivor told police that their uncle torched the house late on Monday evening. Notably, the girl’s uncle and grandfather are among the seven accused in the gangrape case. The survivor, who was impregnated during the sexual assault, conceived a son.

“Police had received a video in which the children can be seen speaking about their uncle and how he set the house on fire. Thereafter, cops confirmed the authenticity of the video with the children. The rape survivor has seven siblings,” said Siddharth Meena, SP Unnao.

Police have also recovered a lighter from the accused, which the children pointed out was used to start the fire. The house was set on fire just five days after the family alleged that the gangrape accused attacked the survivor’s father with an axe. Due to serious injuries, he had to be hospitalised. In this case too, the survivor’s uncle was charged under section 151 CrPC.

Among the seven accused in the gangrape case, two were given bail in December while another secured a bail in February. “Further probe is underway into the incident of torching the survivor’s house,” said SP Meena.

  • Haidar Naqvi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Haidar Naqvi

    Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.Read More