UP rape victim dies after allegedly being set afire by kin of accused; three arrested

Police had earlier said that the woman had allegedly set herself this morning due to stress

A rape victim set herself ablaze in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district, about 450 kilometres from Lucknow, over alleged pressure to 'compromise' and threats of dire consequences.

The minor victim, who had suffered extensive burn injuries, died at a hospital in Delhi on Tuesday night.

While the police claimed that the victim had immolated herself, her parents alleged that she was set ablaze by the family members of the accused.

Three cops, including two sub-inspectors, were suspended on charges of laxity in the matter while a circle office (CO) was shunted out of the district, official sources here said on Wednesday.

Police said that the minor, a resident of Jahangirabad area in the district, had allegedly been raped by a man, who hailed from her village, a few months back.

A case was lodged in this connection and the main accused was arrested.

The parents of the victim had approached the cops on many occasions alleging that the family members of the accused had been threatening them with dire consequences if she did not withdraw her complaint but the police did not taken any action.

They said that the victim was set ablaze by four people, who were acquaintances of the accused, when she went out to dispose of garbage on Tuesday morning.

Police, however, said that the victim had herself told them that she had immolated herself. Seven people were so far arrested in this connection, police said adding that several teams had been formed to nab the other accused persons.

The incident comes close on the heels of alleged 'gangrape' and brutal murder of a teen in Hathras district in the state.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav lashed out against the UP government saying that it had failed to ensure safety of the womenfolk in the state.