Thaindian News

Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh), June 11 (IANS) As many as 11 policemen, including a police inspector, were suspended here Saturday after the body of a teenaged girl was found in the compound of a police station in Uttar Pradesh, a senior official said.

The body of the girl was found hanging from a tree in the premises of the Nighaasan police station in Lakhimpur Kheri district Friday night.

The girl’s family alleged that she was raped, killed and her body was hanged from a tree to make it look like a suicide.

“Recovery of the body from the premises of the police station is a very serious matter. While I have asked the district administration to initiate a magisterial inquiry into the matter, I immediately suspended 11 policemen for dereliction of duty,” Superintendent of Police D.K. Rai told IANS over telephone.

“As per the record, the policemen placed under suspension were present inside the police station. Moreover, without following procedural norms, they allowed the girl’s mother to take away her body. As of now, we cannot tell whether it’s a case of suicide or murder. We are awaiting the autopsy report,” he added.

According to police, the teenager along with her family used to live near a building coming up inside the premises of the police station.

“The victim and her family were given a place to live by the contractor looking after the construction work,” said Rai.

The girl Friday morning had taken her cattle for grazing. After she did not return after several hours, her mother started looking for her and found her daughter hanging from the tree.