Jaleswar: A decomposed body of a 14-year-old girl was recovered from a paddy field at Herapada in Bartana panchayat under Jaleswar police limits in Balasore district on Thursday, with the family alleging that she was gang-raped and murdered.

The suspected perpetrators allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by pouring petrol on her body and setting it on fire.

According to reports, the girl, a resident of Paschimabada panchayat, had gone to the nearby Paschimabada market with a friend in the evening to eat chaat around seven to eight days ago. She did not return home, following which her family lodged a missing-person complaint at Nampo police outpost, alleging that she had been abducted.

Kidnapped En Route To Enjoy Evening Snacks

The family reportedly handed over a youth to the police in connection with her disappearance. However, they alleged that the police released him without taking adequate action or tracing the girl.

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The mystery surrounding her disappearance took a grim turn on Thursday when her decomposed body was found in a paddy field at Herapada. Her slippers and scarf were reportedly found lying some distance away, helping establish her identity as the missing girl.

Body Set On Fire To Erase Evidence

The victim's face and some parts of her body bore burn injuries. It is suspected that petrol was poured on her face, chest and abdomen before she was set on fire, allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence following the suspected sexual assault and murder. The allegations are yet to be established through investigation.

Police reached the spot, seized the body and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl's disappearance and death. The allegations concerning the suspected sexual assault, murder and the handling of the family's earlier complaint are also likely to come under scrutiny.

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The incident has sparked concern among local residents, who have demanded stringent action against those responsible. The police are investigating the case to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved.