Police in the western Indian state of Punjab have found the body of a six-year-old girl who was allegedly burnt alive after being raped.
According to Indian news agency ANI, Punjab Chief Minister Capt (retd) Amrinder Singh has expressed deep sorrow over the incident of rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Tanda area of Hoshiarpur.
"Although the police have arrested the accused, the DG police has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation," he said on Friday.
"The matter will be heard expeditiously and the culprit will be given an exemplary punishment by the court."
According to the NDTV website, Sarpreet Singh of Jalalpur village and his grandfather Surjit Singh have been arrested in this case under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code for rape, murder and destruction of evidence.
They say the girl's half-burned body was found Wednesday near their cattle ranch.
The girl's parents are migrant laborers from Bihar and they have lodged a complaint with the police against Surjit Singh for taking her daughter under the pretext of giving her biscuits on Wednesday afternoon, after which he has been missing.
Late in the evening, the half-burnt body of the girl was found at Surjit Singh's mansion. Surjit Singh is the village commission agent.
The incident of rape & murder of 6-yr-old in Hoshiarpur is extremely sad & shocking. Though Police arrested the accused, have directed DGP to ensure proper investigation & that challan is presented speedily. Call for fast trial & exemplary punishment to guilty by Court: Punjab CM pic.twitter.com/RRJKq9xzov
Police have registered an FIR against him and he has also been charged with POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse) Act.
The recent incidents of rape and murder in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India have shown that such incidents are not decreasing despite the tightening of anti-rape laws.
On the other hand, the state's Scheduled Caste Commission has taken suo motu notice and demanded a detailed police report in the matter by October 26 and demanded strict action.
