Woman arrested in UP for killing man during rape attempt
An 18-year-old woman was arrested in Banda district for allegedly killing a 50-year-old man, Sukhraj Prajapati , after he attempted to sexually assault her, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Murwal village. Station House Officer Rajendra Singh Rajawat said Prajapati’s body was found in a house with fatal head injuries caused by a sharp-edged weapon, identified as a farsa. According to the accused, the man entered her home and tried to sexually assault her, and she struck him in self-defence.
Police registered a murder case based on a complaint from the victim’s family and arrested the woman, along with the weapon, later that night. She is expected to be produced before a court on Friday.
Under Indian law, Sections 96–100 of the Indian Penal Code recognise the right to private defence , allowing a person to use reasonable force, even causing death, if there is an imminent threat of death or grievous hurt. However, police arrest the accused first, and it is for the courts to determine whether the act qualifies as justified self-defence.
Several past cases in India have seen women who killed men during attempted assaults granted bail or released when evidence supported self-defence claims. Courts examine whether the force used was proportionate to the threat and whether the claim is credible. False claims are treated seriously, and FIRs can be quashed if evidence shows fabrication.