Deaf and mute girl, 14, ‘gang-raped at family wedding as she’s lured into field’
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT – A young girl went missing during a family wedding and was later found near a sugarcane field in a state of distress.
Two men have been accused of luring the girl away with one of the men, injured, was arrested (Image: SWNS )
Police in northern India say a young girl from a secluded Tribe community was allegedly gang raped after attending her cousin’s wedding in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
The child, believed to be 14 years old and living with hearing and speech disabilities, was reported missing during the celebrations on Saturday night.
She was later found in distress near a sugarcane field close to the wedding venue.
Officers confirmed that two men, identified locally as Javed, 28, and Chhotu, 25, are suspected of luring her away.
One of the accused has since been arrested after being injured in a police encounter.
The girl was reportedly found next to a sugar cane field in distress (Image: Getty Images )
One of the primary suspects, Javed, was apprehended on Sunday following a brief police encounter in a neighboring village. He sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the exchange and was taken into custody.
The second accused, Chhotu, remains absconding, and police teams are currently conducting raids to locate him.
Guests at the wedding raised the alarm when they noticed the girl’s absence.
Young girl went missing for hours
Villagers searching nearby discovered her and confronted the suspects, who fled but were recognised by locals.
Community members and activists gathered at the scene, demanding swift justice.
Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions on gang rape, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and the victim is receiving support.
Found near a sugarcane field
The victim has been sent for a medical examination and is receiving treatment at a district hospital. Senior officials, including SP Kheri Khyati Garg, visited the scene to oversee the investigation.
Medical examiners from the district hospital described her as being in a state of extreme terror and physically unable to explain the events during her initial examination.
She is currently undergoing treatment for multiple injuries. Investigative teams are waiting for her condition to stabilize before attempting to record a formal statement.
