Tragedy in Auraiya: Rakshabandhan Turns Fatal for Teen Girl

Lucknow: A 14-year-old girl in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly raped and murdered by her cousin, 33-year-old Surjeet, only hours after celebrating the Rakshabandhan festival on August 9, police confirmed Tuesday.

According to police reports, Surjeet visited his uncle’s house on the morning of August 9, where the girl tied him a rakhi as part of the Rakshabandhan ritual symbolizing sibling protection. Later that night, after consuming alcohol, Surjeet returned to the house and raped the girl while she slept. He then killed her and staged the scene to look like a suicide by hanging her body from a noose.

The crime came to light when the girl’s father, who was asleep in another room, discovered her body the following day and alerted authorities.

The next day, he went back to the house when the police were carrying out their investigation to misguide them, but made them suspicious instead when spoke for the family members rather than letting them answer the questions.

At the time of the crime, the girl’s father was reportedly sleeping in another room in the house and did not hear anything. He discovered the teenager’s body the next day and informed the police, the report mentioned.

Officials said they could saw blood stains at several spots in the house and could make out that it the girl did not die by suicide.

The officials began questioning the family members and noticed that Surjeet was always with them, the report said, dding that when the girl’s kin were inquired, the accused would answer for them.

Auraiya Superintendent of Police Abhijeet Shankar said victim’s body was sent for post-mortem, which confirmed rape.

Surjeet was taken into custody and confessed to the crime during questioning, according to the report.