Jalandhar: A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by the father of her friend in Punjab’s Jalandhar. Police said the accused strangled her with a wire when she tried to escape, and later hid her body in the bathroom.
The girl had gone to meet her friend and did not return home till late at night. Her family began searching for her and, finding no trace, checked CCTV footage, which showed her entering a neighbour’s house. Police initially inspected the house and said no one was inside, but when local residents entered the premises, they recovered her body from the bathroom.
The incident triggered massive public anger. A mob beat up the accused and attempted to burn him alive. Protestors also pelted stones at his house and continued their demonstration until 1 am.
Police have arrested the accused, identified as Rimpi Singh alias Happy, and booked him under murder and the POCSO Act. According to officials, his wife with their daughter had gone to her maternal home in Ludhiana at the time of the incident.
ACP Gagandeep Singh Ghumman said ASI Mangatram has been suspended for not conducting proper investigation into the case.
