Uttar Pradesh: Protest erupts after Kaushambi man kills minor by setting her afire

Villagers blocked a nearby highway along with the 14-year-old’s body on Wednesday, after police rejected claims that she was sexually assaulted.

A 14-year-old girl died at the SRN Hospital in Allahabad on Tuesday, a day after she was raped and set afire allegedly by her neighbour in Kaushambi’s Kokhraj area.

Only the girl and her grandmother were around when Maan Singh allegedly entered their residence to commit the crime on Monday night. (HT image)

The accused – identified as Maan Singh – was arrested on Wednesday.

Only the girl and her grandmother were around when Singh allegedly entered their residence to commit the crime on Monday night. According to police, her parents were out visiting relatives at the time.

The accused fled when the girl’s grandmother raised the alarm, following which she was taken to the district hospital. The victim was later referred to the SRN Hospital, where she died during treatment.

Police rejected the claim that the girl was raped, stating that Singh had set her afire when she resisted. Angered by this, the victim’s family and other villagers blocked a nearby highway along with her body on Wednesday. They dispersed only after senior police officers reached the spot and pacified them.

Kokhraj station house officer Pradeep Kumar Singh said rape can be ascertained only after an autopsy.