For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Indian police shot dead four men suspected of brutally raping and murdering a woman, officials have said, with rights groups decrying the “extrajudicial” killings.
The men tried to escape while visiting the crime scenes for a reconstruction of events, according to Shreedharan, an official in the police commissioner’s office.
The suspects were shot after they attempted to grab a police officer’s firearm and run away, according to another police official who remained anonymous.
They allegedly deflated the woman’s scooter tyres and waited for her nearby, before then approaching her under the pretence of offering help and attacking her.
They then gang raped and asphyxiated the woman, before dumping her body in a nearby underpass and setting it alight.
India protests against sexual violence
Show all 20
The burnt body was found last week by a passer-by and was reportedly so badly scorched that her family identified her using only a locket she was wearing.
The men have been identified as Mohammad Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu.
However, some people have criticised the police for having fatally shot the suspects.
Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association, said: “The killings are a ploy to shut down our demand of accountability from governments, judiciary and police, and dignity and justice for women. We demand a thorough investigation into this.”
“Extrajudicial killings are not a solution to preventing rape,” said Avinash Kumar, executive director of Amnesty International India.
“In a modern and rights-respecting society, using extrajudicial executions to offer justice to victims of rape is not only unconstitutional, but circumvents the Indian legal system and sets a grossly-wrong precedent,” he said.
The country has been in the spotlight for sexual violence against women in recent years after multiple high-profile rape cases, sometimes of young children.
This week, a woman was set on fire bymen she accused of having raped her while on her way to court.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies