A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint in Uttarakhand’s Champawat district, triggering massive outrage and protests across the state after police booked three accused, including a former BJP office-bearer and a village pradhan.

According to police, the incident came to light after the survivor’s father lodged a complaint at Champawat Kotwali on Wednesday. In the FIR, the father stated that his daughter had travelled to Champawat on Tuesday for medical treatment and later stayed back to attend a friend’s wedding while he returned to their village.

Concern mounted after repeated calls to the teenager reportedly went unanswered late at night. The family, along with residents, launched a search operation through the night.

The girl was eventually found around 4 am inside a locked room in a nearby village. As per the complaint, the accused allegedly threatened her with a knife and a ‘Basula’ — an adze-like sharp tool — before sexually assaulting her. The accused allegedly fled the spot before locals reached the room.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly threatened the minor with a knife and a ‘Basula’ — a sharp adze-like tool — before sexually assaulting her.

The presence of a former ruling party functionary among the accused further fueled public anger, triggering protests and demands for swift arrests and stringent action against those involved.

By Wednesday, large crowds had gathered in Champawat, where demonstrators blocked roads and raised slogans seeking justice for the survivor.

The protests soon spread to other parts of Uttarakhand. In Dehradun, members of the Suraj Seva Dal staged a protest near Lansdowne Chowk and burned an effigy of the state government, while Congress workers organised a separate demonstration at Yamuna Colony Tiraha. In Srinagar Garhwal, residents assembled at Pipalchauri, alleging that the state’s law-and-order situation had deteriorated severely.

Champawat Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav said that the survivor's medical examination has been conducted.

"We are awaiting the report. Once rape is confirmed, further legal action will follow," SP Yadav stated.

"The case has been handed over to Sub-Inspector Priyanka Maurya. Multiple police teams have been formed, and raids are currently underway to nab the accused who are absconding."