A 14-year-old girl was gang-raped, murdered and burnt in an illegal charcoal furnace by unnamed criminals in Bhilwara, Rajathan. Two other alleged rapes in Udaipur and Pratapgarh brought the state's total to six in less than a week. The result has placed the Ashok Gehlot-led administration in the firing line of opposition BJP and others ahead of the assembly elections later this year.
In Bhilwara, the case came to light as the victim’s brother found the victim’s bracelet and a few bones in a charcoal furnace after seeing smoke bellowing from the furnace.
“During rains, these kilns are rarely lit by the people. The girl’s brother rummaged through the kiln with a stick and sifted through the charred items. He found a bracelet and recognised it as one belonging to his sister,” said a police official on condition of anonymity.
Later, cops and forensic officials found “some pieces of clothes” and other remains, according to sources. A senior FSL expert said a DNA test would be conducted on the bones. Five suspects were detained in connection with the case, SP Adarsh Sidhu said, adding, “We have registered a case of murder and gang rape under Pocso Act.”
Police said locals “raised suspicion about the involvement of some people living in a settlement” in the village after the victim’s slippers were reportedly found near the camp.