A gang of masked armed men allegedly killed a farmer and his wife and gangraped two of the farmer’s nieces, including a minor, in Haryana’s Mewat district on Wednesday night. Other members of the family, who were assaulted by the gang for four hours, have been hospitalised, reported The Times of India. The gang also stole cash, jewellery, other valuables and a motorcycle.

The police said, prima facie, the motive seemed to be robbery. However, they are investigating the modus operandi of the gang. Station House Officer Jai Prakash said, "It appears to be murder and gangrape during a robbery,” and added that an FIR was filed under Sections 459 (grievous hurt), 460 (trespass and attack) and 376 D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Arms Act.

The incident took place when the family was asleep – the women inside a room and the men on a cot outside. One of the rape survivors said in her police complaint that the attackers tied the men to the cots and beat everybody with rods and sticks. She said, “The four-five men were all armed with country-made pistols.” The gang fled around 3 am when one of the family members managed to sneak out and alert the villagers, reported The Hindu.

According to The Times of India, the plot that belongs to a Delhi resident was leased to the deceased farmer. The 40-year-old man used to share the house, situated around 3 km from the village of Dingerheri, with his brother and his family.