The Hindu : National : Minor gang-raped, killed in Latur

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Minor gang-raped, killed in Latur

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: New Year-eve ended horribly for a 14- year-old when she was allegedly gang-raped and killed by four boys at Dawangaon village near Udgir in Latur district of Maharashtra. Later the body was found hanging from a tree. The case was not reported to the police immediately and the girl was given a hasty burial, without even proper ceremonies.

The girl’s mother Salmabi Bagwan filed a case of rape and murder last Friday at the local police station after relatives told her to do so, said Sanjay Latkar, Latur Superintendent of Police.

A case of murder and rape has been registered against four boys of the village.

Two others, including the police patil from the village, have been charged with concealing evidence, says Mr. Latkar. On Saturday, the body was exhumed and a post-mortem conducted.

The incident led to tension in the area but things are under control, according to the police.

Meetings of the local peace committee have been held and security has been tightened. There was stone-throwing after the peace committee meeting but no untoward incident took place later.

Isamuddin Khatib, a lawyer based in Udgir, told The Hindu that after seeing the body of the girl, the parents panicked and the villagers told them not to take up the case with the police. Hence, the hasty burial.

“Threats”

Mr. Khatib said there was a lot of pressure on and even threats to the girl’s family to hush up the matter.

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