Lakhimpur Kheri case: 6 arrested for alleged rape-murder of two minor Dalit sisters

Six suspects have been arrested in the gangrape-murder of two minor Dalit sisters who were found hanging from a tree in the Nighasan area of Lakhimpur Kheri on Wednesday evening. 

According to Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Suman, the post-mortem is underway in the presence of the victims' family. This, after rumours were floated on Wednesday claiming that the autopsy had been rushed through by the police. The rumours resulted in locals staging protests and blocking roads. 

Two of the suspects have allegedly admitted to having sex with the girls. The six accused have been identified as Junaid, Suhail, Arif, Hafeez, Kareemuddin and Chhotu.

SP Sanjiv Suman told media persons that, based on preliminary findings, the two sisters were "lured to the spot by the suspects after which they established sexual relations with the girls." Thereafter, the initial probe suggests that the girls wanted to get married. The police claimed that the suspects allegedly killed the sisters following an argument.

The official said that while Chhotu acted as the facilitator, Suhail and Hafeez raped and murdered the girls, and Kareemuddin and Arif helped the other three in disposing of the bodies. Junaid, who was allegedly having an affair with one of the victims, was reportedly shot in the right leg during a police encounter.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties have demanded strict action against the accused persons. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra targeted the Yogi Adityanath government, stating that 'false advertisements in newspapers and television' do not improve the law and order situation. Why are heinous crimes against women increasing in UP, she asked. Leader of Opposition in the UP Legislative Assembly, Akhilesh Yadav, called the incident a 'heinous repetition of Hathras'

Also Watch: Video of kids sitting in the open boot of a moving car goes viral; Netizens load criticism

Also Watch: Watch: Patient collapses during consultation; doctor's quick reaction saves his life

Also Watch: Watch: Boy stuns netizens by creating makeshift bulldozer with wooden sticks