Rape survivor in UP killed by kin of accused, both on run: Police

Ashok was booked in a murder case around five years ago and was currently out on bail, said Kaushambi Superintendent of Police Brijesh Srivastava.

His younger brother Pawan, 24, who was accused by the woman of rape and was arrested in May last year, is also out on bail.

According to the police, Pawan and the woman were in a relationship for some years. Last year, after Pawan refused to marry her, the woman decided to file a rape case against him.

A panchayat was organised in the village to discuss the matter but when Pawan refused to marry, the woman approached the police leading to his arrest. The police had filed a chargesheet against Pawan. Around a fortnight ago, he was granted bail.

On Monday evening, the woman, accompanied by her sister-in-law, again approached the police to complain against Pawan and his family members. She alleged that ever since Pawan got bail his family members had been trying to pressure her family to withdraw the rape complaint.

According to police, she told them that since Monday morning Pawan’s elder brother Ashok under the influence of alcohol had been abusing and threatening her and her family members.

A senior officer said that after taking note of the complaint, the police asked the woman to return home, assuring her that a team will shortly visit her locality and look into the matter.

“The accused killed the woman even before she could reach home,” said the officer.

In the murder FIR, the woman’s family named Ashok and Pawan as well as two other brothers – Prabhu and Lokchand. However, the police said it was Ashok who attacked the woman with an axe when she and her sister-in-law were passing his house.

No arrest has been made so far. According to the police, shortly after the murder the entire family of the accused locked their house and fled the village.