Bhagalpur, March 26: Criminals shot dead a woman after allegedly raping her on Sikandra-Sheikhpura road underHalshi police station in Lakhi-sarai district late last night.

The criminals, numbering about 10, intercepted the SUV that was carrying Suman, 26, and her family, on Sikendra-Sheikhpura road around 9.30pm while the latter were returning from Gaya to Jharia in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district via Jamui.

Her husband, Naresh Barnawal, 33, alleged that she was raped by the assailants, who went on to rob her and her husband, before opening fire. Naresh said she suffered injuries in the firing by the criminals. He added that Suman was taken to a hospital in Jamui in a critical condition around 2.30am. Doctors in the hospital said she was dead by then, her husband said.

“About two-to-three criminals dragged her away, while the rest in the gang were busy looting our belongings. Within a few minutes, we heard gunshots. On rushing to the area from where the sound came, we saw her lying in a pool of blood,” Naresh said.

“She told us that the criminals had raped her. We managed to take her to a primary health centre at Sikendra, from where she was referred to the hospital in Jamui,” he added. Naresh was accompanied by his two children, Golu and Sonu, and sister Lalita.

Though Naresh said his wife was raped before being killed, Matul Mishra, the station house officer of Halshi police station, said the FIR filed by the victim’s kin said she was assaulted. Naresh added that he faced a lot of difficulties in filing the FIR.

Director general of police Abhayanand said the cops were yet to get the final autopsy report. Admitting to the fact that there was a delay in the lodging of the FIR, the top officer said an investigation would be initiated and strict action taken against those (policemen) who had delayed things for the family.