Gang-rape victim's father tries to kill himself on her pyre

JAIPUR: The father of a minor girl murdered after allegedly being gang-raped in a Bhilwara village last week attempted to jump into his daughter's burning pyre on Monday before relatives stopped him.

A family member told TOI that the distraught father broke down as the pyre was lit and then tried to end his life. "The flames were low then and we stopped him. But he fainted near the pyre. He is fine now," the relative said.

Bhilwara district authorities claimed the father did "approach the pyre" but denied that "he tried to jump" into it. "He got very emotional during the funeral and fell down due to the traumatising events that unfolded in the past week. He was taken to hospital, where his condition is stable. He has not sustained injuries," an official said.

The minor was burnt in a furnace after the alleged sexual assault on August 2. Over half-a-dozen suspects have been arrested. Meanwhile, collector Ashish Modi said the deceased girl's age had been verified as 17.

Protests against the grisly crime ended Sunday evening. Hours earlier, forensic scientists examined the crime scene, particularly the coal furnace.

Sources indicate the forensic report will be the most crucial piece of evidence, particularly in the absence of any witnesses. It will provide insights into whether the girl was burned alive in the furnace or if she was killed before being set on fire.

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