Horror as 17-year-old girl dies 'in severe pain' after being raped

A 17-year-old girl has died after her family alleged she was raped during a meeting with a 22-year-old man, with police in India continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The teenager died in the early hours of Sunday after suffering severe injuries and heavy bleeding. A relative said she had spent several days in "severe pain" before she died.

Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the case. Officers have also registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and other relevant offences, according to the information provided. A relative told the Times of India: "She died in the wee hours on Sunday after being in severe pain for a couple of days. She was cremated. We hope for justice."

According to the complaint filed by her father, the teenager left home on August 6 to attend college before telling him she planned to visit a relative after classes. When she failed to arrive, her family began searching for her.

Her relatives later discovered she had been admitted to hospital suffering from serious injuries and excessive bleeding.

The family allege the teenager was raped at a guest house. They also claim they were offered money to settle the matter out of court and threatened if they went to the police.

Officers said those allegations are being investigated separately.

Police said the teenager remained unconscious for nearly three days and was taken to two hospitals before being transferred to a specialist medical facility, where she later died.

A senior police officer said: "The accused has been rounded up. A panel conducted the girl's postmortem in the presence of a forensic team."

Investigators are also examining the teenager's medical history, the treatment she received at the hospitals and the exact cause of the injuries and infection that led to her death.

Police said the accused and the teenager had been in a relationship for around two years.

If you have been affected by any themes in this story, you can call Rape Crisis for free 24 hours a day on 0808 500 2222. You can also visit the website to start a free online chat.