SUMMARY
- A 33-year-old man in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, raped and murdered his 14-year-old cousin hours after celebrating Raksha Bandhan.
- The accused attempted to disguise the murder as suicide but was caught due to forensic and behavioural evidence.
- Case registered under IPC sections for rape and murder, along with POCSO Act provisions.
Events Leading to the Crime
The shocking case of a UP man rapes and kills cousin in Auraiya has stirred national outrage for its brutality and betrayal. On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, 33-year-old Surjeet visited his uncle’s home, where his 14-year-old cousin tied him a rakhi. Later that night, after consuming heavy amounts of alcohol, he returned to the house while most family members were asleep.
According to the police, he entered the girl’s room, raped her, and then strangled her to death. To divert suspicion, he hanged her body from a noose to make it appear as though she had taken her own life.
रिश्ते और मानवता को शर्मसार करता हुआ दरिंदा।
— Ashwini Yadav (@iamAshwiniyadav) August 13, 2025
Up के औरैया जिले में सुरजीत सक्सेना ने अपनी चचेरी बहन के साथ रक्षाबंधन वाली रात को रे-प किया , फिर गलाल दबाकर उसे मार डाला।
परिवार के सभी लोग बाहर गए थे उसी समय उसने घटना को अंजाम दिया। पहले सुबूत मिटाए, फिर पुलिस को बातों से गुमराह… pic.twitter.com/JpV9BZ8m4P
Immediate Police Suspicion
- Officers noticed blood stains and signs of a struggle.
- Accused displayed suspicious behaviour during questioning.
When local authorities reached the scene, they immediately found discrepancies that ruled out suicide. Blood stains in multiple places, along with marks inconsistent with hanging, pointed towards foul play. The UP man rapes and kills cousin incident quickly became a high-priority investigation.
Surjeet made the mistake of returning to the victim’s home the next day while police were still questioning relatives. Officers noticed he was overly controlling, answering questions on behalf of the family. This behaviour, coupled with physical evidence, made him the prime suspect.
Forensic Evidence and Arrest
Post-mortem results confirmed sexual assault before death, and DNA samples matched Surjeet. Under interrogation, he confessed to the crime. Auraiya Superintendent of Police Abhijeet Shankar confirmed that the case was registered under IPC sections for rape and murder, as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The UP man rapes and kills cousin case has now been transferred to a special POCSO court, which will handle the trial in a fast-track manner.
Crime Statistics and Patterns in Uttar Pradesh
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report, Uttar Pradesh recorded over 6,800 cases of rape, with minors accounting for more than 30 percent of victims. Rural areas like Auraiya face additional risks due to weak policing infrastructure, lack of surveillance, and social stigma around reporting sexual offences.
Crimes such as the UP man rapes and kills cousin case also highlight the prevalence of assaults committed by known individuals or relatives, which often go undetected until a tragedy occurs.
Public Reaction and Community Outrage
- Candlelight vigils held in Auraiya town.
- Women’s groups demand death penalty for the accused.
The case has triggered mass protests across Auraiya, with residents demanding the harshest possible punishment. Many women’s rights organisations have called for the death penalty, citing the heinous nature of the act. Several local NGOs have pledged legal aid to the victim’s family to ensure the UP man rapes and kills cousin case is not delayed in court.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Possibilities
The accused faces charges under Section 302 of the IPC (murder), Section 376 (rape), and Section 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault). Conviction under these laws can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Legal experts point out that in similar POCSO-related murder cases in Uttar Pradesh, fast-track courts have delivered verdicts within six to twelve months. However, delays still occur due to adjournments, witness intimidation, and backlog in forensic testing. The UP man rapes and kills cousin trial will test whether legal reforms on case prioritisation are truly effective.
Psychological Toll on the Family
The incident has devastated the victim’s family, especially her parents, who have to process the unimaginable betrayal by a close relative. Psychologists warn that survivors and families affected by such crimes often suffer long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The UP man rapes and kills cousin case also raises questions about community trust, as crimes within families create suspicion and isolation among relatives and neighbours.
Measures for Prevention and Protection
Child rights activists and law enforcement officials agree that preventing crimes like the UP man rapes and kills cousin case requires a combination of legal, social, and infrastructural measures:
- Community policing in rural areas to improve trust between citizens and law enforcement.
- School-based awareness programs teaching children about personal safety and reporting abuse.
- Improved forensic facilities for quicker evidence analysis.
- Public campaigns to break the taboo around reporting sexual crimes committed by relatives.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Phase II plan includes creating village-level vigilance committees, but implementation remains inconsistent.
Broader Implications for Law Enforcement
The Auraiya investigation demonstrates how quick observation and forensic support can expose staged crime scenes. In many rural cases, poorly trained officers might misclassify such incidents, allowing perpetrators to go free.
The UP man rapes and kills cousin case has been cited internally by UP Police as an example of effective early intervention. Officers have recommended refresher training on recognising physical signs that contradict claimed causes of death, especially in suspected suicides involving minors.
Moving Forward
The trial is set to begin shortly in the Auraiya POCSO court, with prosecutors aiming for a swift judgment. Women’s rights activists are keeping close watch to ensure no procedural delays occur. If the case concludes with a strong conviction and appropriate sentencing, it could serve as a deterrent for similar crimes in the region.
The UP man rapes and kills cousin incident stands as a grim reminder that no celebration, no tradition, and no family tie can guarantee safety without vigilance, accountability, and a justice system that responds with urgency.
