Police have arrested 15 people in connection with rape and murder case of a minor girl in Raja Kendua village of Itkhori under Chatra district of Jharkhand. The arrested include- main accused Ghannu Bhuyan, under POSCO Act, and Mukhiya Tileswari Devi and other members of Panchayat Committee for suppressing the facts and other allegations.

Police is searching for the remaining five accused named in the FIR. Heavy deployment of force is made in the concerned village of Itkhori, and many villagers have fled, leaving their homes locked, due to fear of retaliation.

As reported, the news came to light when the main accused burnt the victim girl child alive, reportedly in retaliation, after the Panchayat allegedly imposed fine on him of 50 thousand rupees for committing rape against the minor girl.

Police has now booked Panchayat members for this, as it was a criminal matter for which calling a Panchayat was illegal. Deputy Commissioner of Chatra has said that the victim family is being given all possible help and security cover.