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Lakhimpur Kheri dalit sisters' death: Autopsy confirms rape, strangulation

Six arrested; Govt promises fast-track trial

Lakhimpur Kheri SP Sanjeev Suman addresses a press conference | PTI Lakhimpur Kheri SP Sanjeev Suman addresses a press conference | PTI

The autopsy report of the two minor dalit girls, who were found hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, confirmed that they were raped and strangulated. Six persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

"The bodies were handed over to the family. The last rites would take place under security later in the day,” Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Suman said.

The family initially refused to cremate the girls, but later relented after the government promised compensation and fast-track trial. 

Bodies of the girls, aged 15 and 17, were found hanging about a kilometre away from their home in Tamboli Purwa village in Nighasan block on Wednesday afternoon. The family had alleged that they were abducted, raped and murdered by a few bike-born persons.

Those arrested were identified as Junaid, Sohail, Hafizur Rehman, Karimuddin, Arif and Chottu. According to police, the girls went willingly with Junaid, Sohail with whom they were in a relationship. When the girls insisted on marriage, they were strangled.

Junaid was arrested following an encounter on Thursday morning, police said. A motorcycle, country-made pistol and ammunition were recovered from him.

Opposition targets Yogi govt

The incident has sparked off a political storm in Uttar Pradesh with opposition parties training their guns on the BJP government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"This incident exposes the claims of the government in the matter of law and order. Criminals are moving without any fear since there has been a cover-up in most of the criminal cases, including the one in Hathras. The government should make necessary reforms in its policy, working and priorities," Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati said in a tweet.

"Women's safety cannot be expected from those facilitating the release of rapists and welcoming them," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in an apparant reference to the release of the culprits in Bilkis Bano rape-murder case in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav termed the incident a repeat of the Hathras case in 2020 in which a dalit girl was raped and murdered.

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