india

Updated: Jul 08, 2014 18:28 IST

Three minor Dalit girls were allegedly assaulted and gangraped by seven men for opposing eve-teasing in Singauli village in Badaun, police said on Tuesday.

Three youths of a neighbouring village indulged in eve-teasing with the girls on Sunday who had gone to a nearby field.

As the girls raised objection, four other associates of the accused also joined them in beating the girls.

One of the girl's brother, who rushed to their rescue, was also beaten up, police said.

An FIR has been lodged under Zarifnagar police station area against the seven accused under sections of eve-teasing, assault and SC/ST act.

However, the girls have alleged that they were gangraped.

The family members of the girls however met the SSP LR Kumar on Tuesday, and alleged that police was saving the accused.

They complained that the station incharge lodged the case of eve teasing and not of gangrape at the behest of a Samajwadi Party leader to save the accused who belong to Yadav caste.

The SSP later told reporters that prima facie the case appeared to be that of eve-teasing, but as the family members have complained against it, the statements of the girls will be recorded in the court and further action would be taken accordingly.

Three of the accused have been arrested and efforts are on to nab the remaining accused, police said.