Teenager set on fire for resisting rape, dies

A teenaged girl was killed in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh after she was set on fire by four youths for resisting rape, police said on Monday. The four are absconding.

The 16-year-old girl, a resident of Dhansauli village, succumbed to her injuries late Sunday while being treated at a hospital. The girl was set afire by the four youths of her village on March 25 while she was alone in her house, police said.

"Though the incident took place a few days ago, it was reported to us Sunday night when the victim's family approached us to register a case against the four accused," police inspector Jameel Mohammad told reporters on Monday in Badaun, some 250 km from Lucknow.

"The victim's father alleged that one Tilak Singh, aged around 25, along with his three friends first tried to rape his daughter, and after failing in the attempt the four set her on fire and escaped," he said.

According to police, following a preliminary enquiry, a case has been registered against the four men.

"All the four are yet to be traced. We have been carrying out raids in different parts of the Badaun district since early Monday to nab the accused," said Mohammad.