Man rapes minor, throws her into flames

Eluru: In a ghastly incident, a 30-year-old man raped and threw a minor girl into flames at Pangidigudem village in West Godavari district late on Wednesday night. The locals rescued the girl and shifted her to the government hospital here.

Earlier, the accused, who was stated to be in an inebriated condition, also beat up the victim’s parents with rods and injured them. This is the second incident of rape on a minor girl reported in the district within five months. Earlier in Madepalli village, a psycho raped and murdered a five-year-old girl on June 17.

According to police, a couple of Subhadrapalem village in Nallajerla mandal came to Pangidigudem long ago to cultivate their land. On the ill-fated day, as the house was situated in an agricultural field, the man attempted to rape the woman.

The elder daughter of the couple tried to rescue her mother. The rapist hit the mother with a rod and raped the 12-year-old girl. After that he threw the girl into the flames enveloping the house. Neighbours rushed to the spot and rescued the girl. Her younger sister fled in the melee.

The couple and their elder daughter were first admitted to Eluru Government Hospital and later, shifted to Vijayawada hospital. Police are investigating the case.