Jharkhand: Gang-rape and murder of minor girl, 14 arrested

Fourteen people have been arrested over gang-rape and murder of a minor in Jharkhand Chatra after the victim's family was forced to accept arbitration of panchayat in connection with rape and murder of a girl in Jharkhand.

A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped and burnt alive in Rajakendua village. The incident took place under Itkhori police station in Chatra district - around 160 km from state capital Ranchi.

According to reports, before setting the girl on fire on Friday, the accused and his henchmen thrashed the girl's parents during a hearing at the village panchayat. The girl's relative said, "Panchayat said that settle the matter by making accused do 100 sit-ups and paying the victim's family Rs. 50,000."

The accused refused to accept the punishment and the fine imposed by the panchayat, following which the accused allegedly reached the house of the girl and set her afire with the help of his henchmen.

District Collector Jitendra Singh said, 'One accused arrested, further probe underway.'

Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das condemned the barbaric incident in Chatra district. He said, "I am quite hurt by the heart-shaped incident in Chatra. This brutality has no place in civil society. The administration has been instructed to take immediate action against the culprits. The culprits will not be spared."