MEERUT: An incident that took place less than 25 km from the city has shocked Talheta village near the border of Meerut and Ghaziabad districts. Unknown youths dug out the body of a woman from her grave late on Friday night and allegedly raped the corpse. The woman had been buried two days before the incident took place.

The 26-year-old, who was pregnant, died of complications after she suffered a miscarriage. The village, which falls under Ghaziabad district, is less than 70 km from the national capital. While police have said that rape has not been established, they said it was an attempt to stoke “communal violence” in the region since the woman belonged to the minority community.

In the morning, the woman’s corpse was found lying 20 meters from her grave. The woman had no clothes on when she was found. Village residents immediately informed the woman’s family and then informed the police.

Station officer at Bhojpur police station told TOI, “Locals have claimed that the miscreants sexually exploited the corpse. However, there is nothing as of now that can establish that fact. We are still investigating and looking into that angle. It is certain, however, that the woman was dug out of her grave. We have sent the body for postmortem and we cannot file a case of rape until it can be ascertained via the postmortem report. The CMO of Ghaziabad district has said that it is highly improbable that someone can rape a corpse after it has been in the grave for a full day.”

When asked what other possible theory the cops have, the SO said, “Since the woman who was dug out belonged to the minority community, we think it is an attempt to stoke communal violence in the village. The miscreants had even robbed the woman of her clothes. We are keeping a close eye on the situation and are investigating the case. We registered a case under sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) and 297 (trespassing on burial places) of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation will move forward once the postmortem report is back.”