rape
rapeReuters

A couple in their forties was murdered and two of their nieces were gang-raped by armed robbers in Haryana's Mewat district late on Wednesday. The accused are yet to be identified.

According to one of the rape victims, four to five robbers terrorised the family in Dingerheri village for over three hours. Police have recorded the statement of the 20-year-old rape victim. An FIR has also been registered with Tauru police station, the Indian Express reported.

In her statement, the complainant told police that all the family members were sleeping when the robbers barged into her uncle's house around midnight. They tied her uncle and aunt with dupattas to a bed placed outside and then beat them up with sticks.

After that, they went to the room where the girls were sleeping. Three of the robbers allegedly took turns to rape her and her 15-year-old cousin.

The complainant alleged that the robbers were carrying a country-made pistol. They also assaulted her uncle's brother-in-law and his wife, who succumbed to their injuries.

The men decamped with cash, jewellery, and motorcycles. Police were informed after one of the girls approached her grandfather, who was sleeping near a tube-well.

The injured were taken to a local hospital. Police said that the girls sustained minor injuries, while the couple suffered "more serious injuries".

"The modus operandi in the case appears to be slightly different so we are keeping all options open. We have also found some important clues from the scene of crime and are working on them. We hope to identify and nab the men soon," Inspector General of Police South Range Mamta Singh said.

The case is under sections of Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.