Another Unnao-like case in UP: 1 girl found dead, 1 unconscious

In less than a week, another Unnao-like case was reported from Shahjahanpur where 2 Muslim girls, aged 4 and 7 years, were found in an unconscious state in a field. One died while the other has been battling for life.

Ironically, in another such case in the district on Monday, a 21-year-old student of SS Degree College went missing from her college. She was found half-burnt and in seminaked state on National Highway 24 late on Monday evening. The Unnao-like incident was reported from Bhanpur village under Kaanth police station in Shahjahanpur where 2 Muslim girls went missing on Monday afternoon. The father of one said after attending classes in a local madarsa, they had gone out to take a bath but did not return. The family lodged a complaint. During the search, the police found the body of the 4-year-old girl in a field in adjoining Khijarpur village.

The police continued their search and found the second girl lying unconscious at a distance late at night. The girl was half-naked and was bleeding profusely. She was rushed to the hospital and was critical. Both were cousins and belonged to a minority Banjara community.

Nurses attending to the injured girl told media they found injuries in her private parts, head and neck. However, the police refused comments on the rape and murder or rape and attempt to murder of the girls.

Shahjahanpur SP S Anand said the postmortem of the girl will be done on Tuesday. They are waiting for the second girl to recover for her statement which may shed light on what exactly transpired with them.

“It would be early to jump to any conclusion. We are waiting for a postmortem report and statement of the injured girl to give a direction to the probe,” Anand said.

The police detained a few villagers for questioning. “We will crack the case in 24 hours,” claimed the SP.

In the second case, a 21year-old BA second year student went missing from SS College, belonging to former union minister and ex-BJP MP Swami Chinmayanand. She was dropped to the college by her father but found her missing when he went back to pick her up.

She was last seen on the third floor, along with her classmate. Later, she was found half-burnt and seminaked on NH 24 near Nagaria crossing in Tilhar by passersby. They wrapped her body with a towel and informed the Kaanth police.

She was rushed to the hospital where her condition was critical. Her father feared she was gang raped and later burnt. The police filed a case and were awaiting the victim’s statement.

SP S Anand said the college’s CCTV footage shows she was going out of the college alone. Though the police deny the charge, Samajwadi leaders alleged the police mounted pressure on the victim’s father to keep a mum as the college belonged to former union minister Swami Chinmayanad.

Notably, the former BJP MP was accused by a law graduate of rape. Recently, the girl withdrew her case.