KANPUR: A 20-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped and later set on fire by six youths in Etawah district on Wednesday. She is now battling for her life at the UP Rural Institute of Medical Science in Saifai.

The accused hail from influential families and the police had initially tried to hush up the matter. But after the intervention of senior police officials, Ikdil police registered a case on Thursday and started investigations.

A police official said the woman was alone in her house in Desarmau locality at 1pm when the six youths, allegedly led by one Irfan, barged in and raped her. “Irfan and five others outraged the modesty of my sister,” her brother told TOI. “When she resisted and threatened to report the matter to the police, they poured kerosene on her and set her on fire.”

SSP Rajesh Modak said: “A case had been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and a hunt is on to nab the accused.”