Assam Horror: Three Teenagers Arrested in Alleged Rape and Murder of 16-Year-Old Girl
Three teenagers have been arrested for the alleged rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in Assam's Hailakandi district. A Special Investigation Team has been formed, and police have requested that the 17-year-old accused be tried as an adult due to the severity of the allegations. The accused have been booked under the BNS and POCSO Act, while protests demanding justice continue across the region.
Hailakandi, Assam: Three teenagers, including a 17-year-old boy, have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in Assam's Hailakandi district. The brutal incident has sparked widespread outrage across the state, prompting police to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a swift probe.
Girl Found Dead at Home
According to police, the incident took place in the Aloichora area under Katlicherra Police Station during the early hours of August 1. The victim's family had gone to a nearby relative's house for a community feast. The girl reportedly returned home alone after an argument with a cousin.
When her family returned later that night, they found her dead inside the house. The family immediately informed the police and alleged that she had been raped and murdered.
Three Teenagers Arrested
Police initially detained five youths for questioning before arresting three teenagers aged between 17 and 19 years. Investigators said the victim was allegedly acquainted with the accused, and preliminary findings suggest she was in a relationship with one of them.
The accused have been booked under Section 65(1) (rape of a girl under 16) and Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police Seek Adult Trial for Juvenile Accused
Hailakandi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amitabh Sinha said the main accused is 17½ years old, and considering the seriousness of the allegations, the police have requested the court to try him as an adult under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.
All three accused have been remanded to six days of police custody for further investigation.
SIT Formed, More Arrests Possible
An SIT headed by the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) has been constituted to investigate the case. Police said forensic teams examined the crime scene, collected evidence, and conducted a videographed post-mortem examination, which confirmed allegations of sexual assault.
Officials have also seized several mobile phones and are questioning additional individuals. Police have indicated that more arrests may be made as the investigation progresses.
Public Outrage
The incident has triggered protests in Hailakandi and other parts of Assam's Barak Valley, with residents demanding strict action against those responsible. Protesters also blocked sections of National Highway-6, calling for speedy justice for the victim.
Police have appealed to the public and social media users to avoid sharing sensitive details related to the case in order to protect the victim's dignity and ensure a fair investigation.