17-year-old Dalit rape victim dies by ‘suicide’ in Bareilly

On Sunday morning, when the teenager did not open the door despite several knocks, the family informed the neighbours who called police. The door was broken open and the victim was found hanging with a scarf around her neck. However, no suicide note was found on the victim.

A senior police officer said, “After getting information, a police team rushed to the spot and brought the body down. The body was sent for post-mortem that revealed that the death occurred due to hanging.”

“Of a total of six persons booked for rape, the prime accused is still behind bars. The other five accused are out on bail. The accused belong to another community,” added the officer. The family told the police that girl was in depression since the 2021 incident.

According to the police, the girl went missing after she left home for some work in May 2021. When she did not return, her family began search and came to know she was in touch with a youth from another community.

An FIR was lodged against the youth and others on charges of kidnapping and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and the SC/ST Act. The police traced the girl a week later.