Rape accused shoots dead 17-year-old victim in UP’s Basti, accused on the run

A 22-year-old man accused of raping a 17-year-old girl shot her dead in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district early Tuesday, police said, adding that teams have been formed to arrest the absconding accused. The incident took place around 1 am when the man allegedly entered the victim’s house through the back door and opened fire while she was asleep.

According to officers, the accused fired two shots at the girl — one hitting her head and another her neck — as she slept beside her brother. He allegedly assaulted and threatened the brother during the attack. When the girl’s mother, who was sleeping outside the house, confronted him, he fired at her as well but missed before fleeing the scene.

Police said the accused, a resident of the same village, had allegedly drugged and raped the minor in December last year. He reportedly recorded photos and videos of the assault and threatened to circulate them. Some of the material was allegedly posted on social media on December 16, following which the family lodged a complaint the next day. An FIR was registered under the POCSO Act and the IT Act at Kalwari police station, and the accused had been on the run since then.

The victim’s father works in Punjab, while she lived with her mother and brother and was preparing for the UP Board examinations. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the accused, and further investigation is ongoing.