Minor rape victim, kin shot at by accused youth’s relatives

BAREILLY: A minor rape victim and her family members were shot at by the relatives of the accused in Bhamora area here on Wednesday night. The victim, 15, and two of her family members were injured in the attack. Police have lodged a complaint and initiated a probe into the matter.

To recall, the victim’s family members had lodged a complaint against the accused Harendra Verma, 22, on December 8. Police has charged Verma for rape (section 356) and added POCSO Act after the rape was confirmed in the medical report of the victim. Verma was arrested and sent to prison on December 9.

Superintendent of police (rural), Bareilly, Khyati Garg said, “The attack occurred at around 9pm on Wednesday. Two men of the girl’s family sustained bullet injuries. The girl also received minor injuries.”

The girl’s family alleged that the attack was planned in response to the rape complaint lodged by the girl against Verma. They told that they were taking dinner in their courtyard when the attackers shot at them.

“They came rushing towards us with guns in their hands and before we could do anything, they fired on us,” said a family member of the girl who received bullet injuries on his shoulder and leg. “Our neighbours alerted the police and rescued us,” he added.

Police have registered an FIR against four men of Harendra’s family and formed a team to nab them. “An FIR has been registered against Harendra Verma’s cousin Ramavtar and Gopi Ram and his relatives Suraj Pal and Ram Pal. The accused have been charged under section 307 of the IPC,” said Garg.

The girl’s family also accused the local police for failing to provide security to the girl. “Verma’s relatives issued open threats to our family. We reported the matter to the police and demanded security but they declined our request,” said the victim’s father. In this regard, the SP has asked the SHO of the local police station to submit a written explanation in the matter.

THE GIRL’S FAMILY ALLEGED THAT THE ATTACK WAS PLANNED IN RESPONSE TO THE RAPE COMPLAINT LODGED BY THE GIRL AGAINST VERMA

BOKIL ADDED THAT IT WAS EARLY TO REACH A CONCLUSION ON THE BENEFITS AS THE ECONOMIC REFORM HAS JUST BEGUN