Jharkhand rape: Man rapes minor, burns her alive over Panchayat humiliation

In the Chatra district of Jharkhand, 15 people included accused are arrested for allegedly raping and killing of a minor girl and burnt her alive. Find updates on Jharkhand rape and murder case.

Fifteen people, including the main accused, have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and killing of a minor girl by setting her on fire in Chatra district of Jharkhand, police said on Saturday. The victim was declared "brought dead" by doctors when she was rushed to a nearby hospital on Friday, police said.

"15 people, including the main accused, Dhanu Bhuiyan, have been arrested in connection with the case," said IG Sambhu Thakur, who is camping at the site and monitoring the investigation.

Following the rape incident and then informed about the same, the accused was imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 by the panchayat, besides being ordered to do 100 sit-ups.

Humiliated and angry, the accused had refused to obey the panchayat's directive and instead, went into the house of the victim with his henchmen. He thrashed the girl's parents, before setting her on fire, in front of them.

Asked if the girl was gang-raped, Thakur said it would be confirmed only after post-mortem.

However, a case under various sections of the IPC was registered on the basis of the statement of the victim's family.

The IG claimed that the police rounded up the 15 people within 12 hours of the incident.

The accused and the victim knew each other and the police is investigating the case from all angles, he said.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a deputy superintendent of police rank officer has been formed to investigate the case under the supervision of Thakur.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has announced Rs 1,00,000 as financial aid to the girl's family.

Besides, arrangements have been made for the cremation and foodgrains have also been made available to the victim's family.

Das said the rape and killing of the minor girl by setting her on fire in Chatra is very unfortunate.

Earlier, the police had said that the victim was an 18-year-old woman.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Das said the criminals involved in the incident should be severely punished.

"My condolence is with the family of the victim. Criminals will not be spared at any cost. Government is providing all possible help to the family of the victim," the statement said.