Kolhapur : A 14-year-old girl was found dead behind a temple in Kolhapur’s Mangaon village on Saturday night, her throat slit and body bearing multiple deep injuries, in a killing that has sparked outrage, forced a village shutdown and halted Navaratra celebrations.
Police recovered the suspected murder weapon from the scene and even booked a 35-year-old local man based on the girl’s family’s complaint. Hatkanangle police have booked the 35-year-old man named in the mother’s complaint.
Police said the accused had been living alone in a rented room owned by one of the victim’s relatives. Soon we will arrest him,” said inspector Sachin Suryavanshi of the Hatkanangle police station. The Class IX student was rushed to IGM Hospital in Ichalkaranji after the attack, but doctors declared her brought dead. The family alleged that the accused had been trying to talk to the teenager and repeatedly sought her attention. His parents had rented the premises about two years ago while constructing a house. Though they shifted to their new home six months ago, the accused continued to stay there. Investigators found that he was unemployed and dependent on his parents. Police suspect the accused fled immediately after the attack and crossed into Karnataka . “We have deployed four teams, including two teams of the local crime branch, to arrest the accused. We have got information that after the attack, he left on his motorcycle and escaped towards Karnataka. He has no relatives there. He has thrown away his mobile phone. We are checking CCTV footage to trace the route he has taken.
The family and nearby residents rushed towards the spot, but the assailant fled before they could catch him. The girl was found critically injured behind the temple and was immediately taken to hospital. The girl had informed her parents about his behaviour, following which the family had reprimanded him. Later in the evening, villagers took out a candlelight march in memory of the teenager and in solidarity with her family. They have vowed to continue the bandh until their demands are met.