An outfit in Meerut has announced cash reward for killing the accused in the case where a 14-year-old girl was set on fire. While two more accused have been arrested, the sixth accused is still at large, the police said.
Various organisations, social and Rajput outfits have been carrying out protests, alleging inaction by the police. The police initially said that the girl had herself attempted self-immolation. However, they later lodged an FIR against six persons based on the complaint filed by the victim’s grandfather.
A traders’ association in Meerut has announced ₹2 lakh each for silting the head of the accused. The association members on Tuesday had blocked roads and protested in Begumpul.
An officer bearer of the association, Jeetu Nagpal, said: “The incident has shaken the nation. Such treatment to our girls and women is totally unacceptable. To set an example, the association has announced a reward for the head of the accused. This will alert those who disrespect women and try to harm them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the victim has been batting for life. She is admitted in a government hospital in Delhi.
The incident has sparked much tension. People belonging to the Rajput community have threatened to intensify their protest, if the police fail to arrest all the accused and put them behind the bars.
The incident had taken place in Sardhana police station area in Meerut.
Dileep Singh, of Sardhana police station in charge told The Hindu that six persons were named in the FIR. Five out of the six have been arrested, while raids are conducted to nab the sixth accused. “Rajvansh Bagdi, his father Devendra, 21-year-old Deepak, 21-year-old Rohit Saini and his father Gajraj have been arrested while 24-year-old Aman is still at large. We have formed teams. Raids are being conducted in all possible and suspected areas to nab him,” Mr. Singh said.
Mr Singh said that the victim’s family had complained that the girl was stalked by some local youth when she was on her way to tuition. A person named Rajvansh Bagdi (22) allegedly gave her a mobile phone on August 17, saying that he would call her around midnight.
The incident had forced the girl to stop attending her tuition classes. She narrated the incident to her father. When Rajvansh allegedly called on the phone, the girl’s father told him to stop harassing his daughter.
The girl’s father complained to Rajvansh’s family the next day. He asked them to look into the matter. When the victim’s father had gone to meet Rajvansh’s family, four men allegedly barged into his house.
They poured kerosene on the victim and set her afire. They also threatened the family with dire consequences.