Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Arrests after Indian woman gang-raped, burned to death

Indian police arrested two men on Monday (16) over the gang rape and burning to death of a woman, the latest shocking crime against females in the country, officials said.

Five men allegedly took it in turns to rape the woman after barging into her home early on Saturday, before dragging her to a Hindu temple where they burned her to death in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.


"Two of the accused were arrested from an adjoining district early Monday and we are looking for the rest," local police chief Radhey Mohan Bhardwaj told AFP.

Initial investigations found the men, who are members of the same extended family as the victim and from the same locality, were "annoyed" with the 35-year-old for meeting a particular man, Bhardwaj said.

Police said the mother-of-two revealed the identities of the accused to her husband over the phone after the alleged rape and before they took her to the nearby temple and murdered her.

Police rejected media reports that the woman's desperate emergency phone call went unanswered, saying it was unsuccessful because of the poor network quality in the area.

India has a grim record of sexual violence, with nearly 40,000 rape cases reported countrywide in 2016.

Campaigners say the true figure is likely to be much higher given the social stigma around victims of sexual crimes.

Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, reported more than 4,800 rapes in 2016.

The state has been rocked by several high profile rape cases in recent months, including one that allegedly involved a lawmaker from the ruling party.

Sexual violence in India has been in the global spotlight since the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a woman on a New Delhi bus sparked angry protests and stiffer penalties.

More For You

Harsimrat Randhawa

The victim, Harsimrat Randhawa, was studying at Mohawk College in Hamilton. (Photo credit: Hamilton Police)

Hamilton Police

Indian student dies in Canada after being hit by stray bullet

A 21-YEAR-OLD Indian student was killed in Ontario, Canada, after being hit by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work.

The victim, Harsimrat Randhawa, was studying at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladesh-Pakistan

The meeting took place days ahead of Pakistani deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar's scheduled visit to Dhaka on April 27 and 28. (Photo: X/@ForeignOfficePk)

Bangladesh, Pakistan resume top-level talks after 15 years

BANGLADESH on Thursday raised several longstanding concerns with Pakistan, including a public apology over the 1971 atrocities, during the first foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries in 15 years.

Bangladesh also asked Pakistan to pay USD 4.3 billion as its share of undivided assets from when East Pakistan became independent Bangladesh in 1971.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keir Starmer

Starmer thanked Christians for their community work, including support through night shelters, youth clubs, toddler groups, family services, elderly care and chaplaincy. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer thanks Christians for community work in Easter message

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer extended Easter wishes to Christians across the UK, marking the end of Lent and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In his Easter message, Starmer said the story of Easter is central to the Christian faith. He acknowledged Christians facing hardship, persecution or conflict globally who cannot celebrate freely.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump-Charles

Trump previously made a state visit to the UK in 2019 during his first term as president. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump says he expects to meet King Charles in September

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Thursday he expects to meet King Charles in the UK in September. It would be an unprecedented second state visit for Trump, which the British government hopes will strengthen ties between the two countries.

Prime minister Keir Starmer delivered an invitation from King Charles to Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office in February. The meeting focused on tariffs and the situation in Ukraine.

Keep ReadingShow less
Blackburn with Darwen vows to tackle mental health taboos among Asians

Efforts are being made to improve mental health service uptake among Asians

Blackburn with Darwen vows to tackle mental health taboos among Asians

BLACKBURN with Darwen will spend an additional £1.17 million over the next five years on tackling mental health in the borough, with an emphasis on reaching young people and residents of south Asian heritage, writes Bill Jacobs.

The worse than national average figures were set out in a report to senior councillors. Council leader Phil Riley told the meeting last Thursday (10) that figures in the survey, especially for young people, were shocking.

Keep ReadingShow less