UP: Kin of accused try to chop off rape victim's tongue

In an audacious incident, kin of a rape accused tried to chop off the teenage victim's tongue on Thursday in Pratapgarh district in order to prevent her from giving her statement in the court. The crime took place in Jethwara area of the district.

The girl's father, in his FIR, alleged that three persons -- the accused's brother Laljeev, a relative Inder and one more unidentified person -- tried to cut the girl's tongue off, so that she cannot give her statement in the court.

Lavlesh, the accused, is lodged in jail in connection with the January 22 rape this year, and the next hearing of the case is scheduled to take place on July 24.

In Lucknow, Inspector General (law and order) R K Vishwakarma said while Inder has been arrested, a manhunt has been launched to nab the other two. He said the three persons could not succeed in their intention, but the 19-year-old girl was left with injuries on her tongue.

Image: A protest against increase in sexual crimes against women