Minor rape victim dies after being set ablaze

BULANDSHAHR (Uttar Pradesh): A 15-year-old Dalit girl, who was allegedly set on fire in Bulandshahr, has died in Delhi's RML Hospital, the police said on Wednesday. The incident happened on Tuesday and the girl succumbed in the night.

The girl was earlier allegedly raped by a local resident and the family was being pressured to withdraw her complaint. The FIR filed by the family says seven people entered their home and set her ablaze using petrol.

In a video of the victim in a hospital, she can be heard purportedly saying, "There was an ongoing case of molestation by the same people who came today."

Bulandshahr Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Singh said, "In August, a girl was raped by a man. He was arrested. The accused is currently in jail. On Tuesday, we received information that the same girl has been set on fire under suspicious circumstances. Till 11 p.m. on Tuesday, it appeared she had attempted suicide. But as per the family's complaint, seven people tried to immolate her."

He said seven people have been booked and three have been arrested. According to the victim's family, those accused of setting her on fire are relatives and acquaintances of the accused, who is in jail for allegedly raping the minor, under the POCSO and SC/SC Act. (IANS)

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