Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj police on Sunday arrested a man accused of abducting a girl, raping her in an open field, and branding her with cigarettes, the police reported on Monday. According to police, they laid hands on the accused on Sunday following an encounter during which he was shot in both legs.

Girl abducted from home

The police said the incident took place on June 14 when the girl and her family members were sleeping on the terrace of their house. The accused, identified as Musharraf, entered the house and abducted the minor girl, her family said.

He then took her to an open field, where he violated her and branded her with cigarettes on various parts of her body. After the girl lost consciousness, Musharraf fled from the spot.

Kin rush girl to hospital

The girl’s family later discovered her lying unconscious in the field and transported her to hospital with the help of the locals. Police said she has undergone extensive medical examinations and a probe is underway to establish whether the accused knew the girl.

Musharraf spotted during vehicle checking, fires at cops

On Sunday night, the cops spotted Musharraf during a routine vehicle check. He allegedly tried to flee and also fired at the police team during evasion. The cops opened retaliatory fire, during which he was shot in both legs, Prayagraj’s Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (City), Manish Shandilya said.

The officer added that Musharraf is undergoing treatment at a hospital, while the police are searching for two of his aides. An FIR has been registered against him and his accomplices.

Meanwhile, the police also seized an illegal country-made pistol from the scene of the encounter, which was allegedly possessed by Musharraf, Shandilya said. The local MLA also met the survivor’s family and assured them that the accused will be brought to justice.