A 16-year-old girl of Mathatentulia village under Gondia police limits was allegedly gang-raped and murdered on Tuesday night. After committing the crime, the accused set the victim on fire before fleeing from the spot. The incident occurred in the absence of her parents, who were away at Cuttack to attend a wedding.
The matter came to light on Wednesday after the burnt body was found in an abandoned room, 100 metres away from the deceased girl’s house. Sources said 95 per cent of the body was burnt.
Gondia Police said the girl was asleep when two unidentified persons entered the house and kidnapped the victim. They then took her to an abandoned room 100 metres away from her house where they gang-raped her. The accused then set her afire in the room and fled.
An FIR in this regard was filed by the deceased’s father at Gondia police station on Wednesday.
Receiving information, Gondia police station Inspector in-charge Ugrasen Pradhan visited the spot and seized the body. It has been sent for post-mortem. Though a case has been registered, no arrests have been made yet. Police said a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits.
Tension ran high in the village following the incident.