Lakhimpur Kheri killings: A story of love-betrayal, statutory rape and murder of two sisters
India Today
At least six people have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of two Dalit sisters in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district.
The alleged rape and murder of two minor girls in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri has shocked the nation. The eerie resemblance of the case to that of the 2014 Badaun rape case saw political parties calling out the Uttar Pradesh government over the failing law and order situation.
While the villagers and the family members of the two deceased minor girls continue to claim they were abducted and raped, the Uttar Pradesh police rubbished the claim of abduction, stating the girls knew four of the six arrested in the matter. Till now, six people have been arrested and booked under the POCSO, SC/ST Act and rape and murder charges. India Today dug deep to unearth the entire incident.
It was 12 pm on September 14 when the elder of the two deceased girls called Junaid, one of the accused, asking to meet them. The 17-year-old had been in contact with Junaid for a year and the 15-year-old had known Sohail for nine months.
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According to top sources in UP Police, the girls were being physically exploited by Junaid and Sohail. They both also promised that they would marry the girls. On September 14, the girls were adamant that they will elope with the boys, and had called the duo with the same intention. Both Junaid and Sohail arrived with Hafizul, and the girls left with them.
As per sources, when Junaid and Sohail sexually exploited the sisters, Hafizul kept guard. The boys in their confession stated that post the incident when they tried to leave, the girls started creating a scene, demanding the two boys to marry them.
According to the confession of Junaid and Sohail, they killed the two sisters in a fit of rage as they were adamant about marriage. The elder sister resisted, which is why she had three other injuries apart from strangulation, as per the post-mortem report. When India Today reached out to the family members of the accused, they agreed that Sohail, Junaid, and Hafizul left together at around 1 pm but their alibi was they had gone to buy ration and were back by 4 pm.
