All six accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri rape murder of two minor Dalit sisters have been sent to a 14-day judicial custody after they were produced at the Additional District Judge’s residence.
The police identified the six accused as Chotu, Junaid, Suhail, Hafizul Rehman, Karimuddin and Arif. They are charged under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012. One of the accused was nabbed following an encounter in which he was shot in the leg.
Two days ago, on September 14, dead bodies of the two sisters were found hanging from a tree in a field. The post-mortem report accessed by Gaon Connection revealed that the cause of death was strangulation.
“Death is by asphyxia as result of ante-mortem [prior to death] strangulation,” the autopsy report mentioned. The report also mentions that both the lungs of the victims were found to be congested and exuded dark fluid blood and there were ligature marks present on all around the neck and abrasion marks on the arms of the victims.
The members of the family of the victims had refused to carry out the last rites, demanding compensation and the “death sentence” to the six accused. The dead bodies of the sisters were cremated last evening after their family was promised monetary compensation (Rs 16 lakh, according to the girls’ brother, Uttam Kumar), and a government job.
“We have been provided a written assurance of a financial compensation for the murder of my sisters. The circle officer Sanjay Nath Tiwari has assured us timely transfer of Rs 16 lakh (Rs 1,600,000) along with a government job and the allotment of a house. They have also assured me that the culprits will be booked with the harshest punishment,” Uttam Kumar told Gaon Connection.
