The survivor claims her younger sister was taken away after a suspected money deal, and months later she was sexually assaulted and threatened into silence.
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In Uttar Pradesh’s Pilbhit, police have registered a case against two men accused of raping their 17-year-old niece and allegedly selling her 16-year-old sister. The complaint came after the girls were left in the custody of relatives following their mother’s murder and their father’s imprisonment. The elder sister submitted a written complaint on Friday evening, detailing a series of events that unfolded over several months.
According to the complaint, the two sisters had gone to stay at their maternal uncles’ home in a village under Barkhera police station during their school summer vacation in June last year. They expected a routine visit with family.
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However, on July 3, about a month after they arrived, the girls learned that their mother had been killed. Their father was arrested in connection with the murder and sent to jail. With both parents suddenly out of their lives, the sisters were left dependent on relatives.
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The elder girl alleged that instead of protection, they gradually became targets of exploitation.
In her complaint, the 17-year-old said that in September, both uncles took her 16-year-old sister away from the house. After that day, she could not trace her sibling.
She further claimed that she overheard the two men speaking on the phone about a monetary deal. This made her suspect that the younger girl had been sold. “After that, I could not find out where my sister was,” she wrote.
The disappearance of the younger sibling has now become a central part of the investigation.
The elder sister said that after the younger girl was taken away, the abuse shifted toward her. She alleged that early in March this year, while she was asleep, her elder uncle entered her room. According to her statement, he forcibly removed her clothes and raped her. She added that the younger uncle stood guard outside the door during the incident.
The girl also alleged that the two men later took her to the campus of the SP office. There, she was allegedly forced to record a video statement saying she was returning to her parental home of her own free will.
“They threatened to kill my sister if I did not say what they wanted,” she said in her complaint.
The complainant stated that she initially approached other relatives for support in filing a police complaint. However, she said she did not receive any help. Eventually, she managed to submit the complaint herself, leading to the registration of the case against the two accused.
Police officials told the media that one of the maternal uncles had earlier filed the complaint against the girl’s father in the murder case of her mother. They also confirmed that the girl declined a medical examination in writing.
“We are now waiting for her court statements for further legal action against the two accused,” they said.
Police added that the complainant’s exact age is being verified through her educational documents. If she is found to be a minor, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act will be added to the FIR.
Officials also said they have begun tracing clues about the missing younger sister. The two accused are being questioned about her whereabouts.
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