An 18-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district killed her neighbour while trying to defend herself from a sexual assault attempt, police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on New Year’s Day, and the teenager has been arrested, though police said the court will be informed that she acted in self-defence.
According to officials, the 45-year-old man, a farmer, entered the girl’s house in an inebriated state when she was alone at home. Police said he attempted to sexually assault her. The girl tried to flee but failed and then struck him with an axe in an attempt to protect herself. The man died from the injuries.
After the incident, the girl went to a nearby police outpost and surrendered.
Police later recovered the body from the house and sent it for further legal procedures.
Superintendent of Police Palash Agarwal said preliminary evidence indicates the act was committed in self-defence. He added that all material facts would be placed before the court, which will decide the matter.
During the initial inquiry, police found that the man frequently visited the girl’s house to meet her mother. On the day of the incident, he reportedly came on the pretext of work while her mother had gone to the fields. Police said he was heavily intoxicated at the time.
According to investigators, the man shut the door and attempted to assault the girl. After striking him with an axe, she used a stick when he fell unconscious.
The girl lives with her mother, and her father died a few years ago. Police said she had discontinued her studies after completing intermediate education.
Based on a complaint filed by the deceased man’s wife, a case of murder has been registered against the girl. Police said she will be produced before a court on Friday, where they will inform the court that she acted in self-defence while resisting sexual assault.