Eight-year-old girl found raped and murdered in UP's Firozabad, accused absconding

AGRA: An eight-year-old girl was found allegedly raped and murdered in Firozabad district on Monday early morning.
A resident of Chandpura village under Sirsaganj police jurisdiction close to Firozabad-Mainpuri border, the victim was missing since Sunday night after she had gone to attend a function organised by her neighbours.
Elder one among two siblings, the victim’s body was recovered in a wheat field some 200 metres away from her home.
Based on her mother’s complaint, police lodged an FIR against a 33-year-old local resident.
The accused was identified as Bantu Singh, an unmarried man with whom the victim was last seen by neighbours. According to police, after the incident, accused Bantu Singh is absconding.
The FIR copy of the victim read, “After leaving home at 9pm to attend function at neighbour’s house, Preeti was spotted with Bantu Singh at 9:15pm by villagers. When she did not return home by 9:30pm, every nook and corner of the village was searched. Based on eyewitness account, I confronted Bantu but he denied of having any knowledge. He claimed that he asked Preeti to buy a tobacco packet and gave Rs 10, after which he did not see her. Bantu Singh returned to village at 1am.”
“On Monday at around 6:30 am, local villagers found my daughter’s body. She was bleeding from abdomen and her undergarment was lying a few meters away from the wheat field. Enraged over the gruesome murder villagers reached Bantu’s residence, but he was found missing,” said Preeti’s mother.
Superintendent of police (rural), Rajesh Kumar of Firozabad said, “Prima facie it seems that the victim was sexually assaulted and then strangulated to death. Her body has been sent for post-mortem examination. The forensic team have collected vital samples and evidences from the spot. Our police team is now searching for the accused Bantu.”
Scores of minor girls have been reported victims of rape and murder in the area in recent times.