Gangrape and murder in UP: Woman falls prey to temple priest in Badaun

Badaun: In a shocking repetition of India's horrific Nirbhaya gang-rape, a middle aged woman was gang-raped and brutally killed at Uttar Pradesh's Badaun. As per reports, the three accused in the case, the temple priest and his two disciples, severely injured the woman's private parts by inserting a rod and killed her in the temple.

The accused have been identified as Mahant Baba Satyanarayana, his disciple Vedram and driver Jaspal.The incident reportedly took place in Mewari village under Uighati police station. The Uighati police have already booked the three accused under IPC Sections 376-d (gang-rape) and 302 (murder). 

According to police statements, the 50 year old woman, an Anganwari worker had gone to worship at the temple on Sunday. The priest and his two disciples brutally assaulted the woman and killed her inside the premises of the place of worship. Although she did not return for a long time, later in the night, the accused priest and his two accomplices drove the injured woman home in a car, and told her family that she had fallen into a dry well on the temple premises.

The woman's husband later stated that his wife was alive back then, although her multiple injuries were so severe that she could not succumb eventually. 

Notably, the family members had suspected the three men as they did not direct her to hospital and instead left immediately after dumping her body at home. The trio has been reported missing since then. 

Meanwhile, post-mortem reports of the deceased woman went on to bring to light the atrocities committed upon her by the villainous priest and his disciples. The autopsy revealed brutalised private parts, damaged left rib, fractured left leg and a punctured left lung. The cause of death was declared to be shock and internal bleeding. The reports also suggested that she was hit with heavy object.

Notably, a panel of three doctors, including a woman doctor, performed the woman's post-mortem. 

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Badaun, Sankalp Sharma said "On Sunday, the 50-year-old woman, who had gone to a temple, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Family members of the woman have accused the temple mahant and his aides of raping and murdering her. Based on this, a case was registered against the accused. Two of the accused persons were arrested on Tuesday night, while the mahant is still absconding."

As per police reports, the absconding main culprit is vigorously sought by the police. Four different teams have been formed to nab him.

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