BHOPAL: The family of the 12-year-old Dalit girl who was beaten to death in Shivpuri district on September 25 for defecating in the open has alleged that she was molested by the accused. Her 11-year-old cousin also died in the attack.

Bhim Sena has called a complete bandh in Shivpuri town on Monday to protest the killings. Additional police force has been deployed in the region.

Molestation isn’t mentioned in the FIR, nor does the autopsy report mention sexual assault. But on Sunday, the girl’s elder brother and the boy’s father told mediapersons that her clothes were found to be torn when they reached the spot.

She was molested, they alleged. Her elder sister alleged that prime accused Hakam Singh Yadav had tried to rape the 12-year-old a month ago. “She came home crying, saying that when she resisted and pushed him aside, Hakam threatened her with dire consequences,” she told reporters.

Community members demand that police add Pocso charges in the case against Hakam Singh Yadav and his brother Rameshwar. Asked about this, district collector Ahugrah P said: “As per the post-mortem report, no sexual assault is suspected.”

The two Dalit cousins were beaten to death by Hakam and Rameshwar for defecating in the open in front of the house and farm of the accused, says the FIR. CM Kamal Nath had expressed concern on the incident and directed police to take strict action against the accused.

BSP supremo Mayawati had condemned the double murder and demanded death sentence for the killers.

