7-yr-old gang-raped, strangled

VARANASI: Puja, a seven-year-old girl, was gang-raped by her father's friends, who fled after strangulating her and dumping her body in a field, in Aili village under Chaubeypur police station, on Saturday night. Her body was recovered on Sunday, while one of the accused was also arrested by the police. According to reports, Ramashankar Kanojia, a dhobi (washerman) in Aili village, lived with his wife, three daughters and two sons. He was at his shop when his friends, Babulal alias Bablu of Saraiyya and Dayashankar Patel of Aili reached Ramashankar's house. There, his daughter Puja and son Deepak were present, while other members of his family had gone somewhere. The two asked Deepak to get cigarettes for them from a neighbouring shop. When Deepak left, they tied Puja's mouth and took her to a field, some distance from Ramashankar's house. They raped the minor girl and, before fleeing, strangulated her. After returning home, Deepak found nobody there. He started searching for Puja and also informed his mother and other family members. In the meantime, Ramashankar also returned home. The entire family and villagers searched for the girl and also reported the matter to the police. But, the girl could not be found in the night. Later, on Sunday morning, the villagers saw her body in the field. The news of her killing spread like wild fire and the police also arrived at the spot. They raided the house of Dayashankar where he was found in an inebriated state. He was arrested.