Lucknow, April 17: In a case with harrowing echoes of the crime in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, an 8-year-old was raped and then murdered in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.

The victim had gone to attend a wedding with her family where she went missing, only for her body to be found early next morning in a field. 

A drunk youth, found lying beside her, has been arrested on suspicion of raping her, an official said.

The family of the victim has accused the 18-year-old Sonu of luring the girl to a deserted place when the wedding rituals were underway and then raping her. He has also been accused of strangulating her later for fear of being identified later.

Police officials said the case was being probed and that the accused has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

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Bengaluru: The Azim Premji Foundation has announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26, aimed at supporting up to 2.5 lakh girls across 18 Indian states who are pursuing higher education after completing school. An official release from the foundation also stated that in the coming years the scholarship will be implemented across the country.

When to Apply:

According to a release from the foundation, the application process for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025–26 will commence in September 2025. “Details of the program and any changes in the program design or coverage will be notified at the start of the application process,” the release added.

Where to Apply:

According to the release, the scholarship this year will be implemented across 18 states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Students residing in these states and enrolled in recognised higher education institutions will be eligible to apply.

How to Apply:

  • Girls who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education in government (public) schools and have secured admission in a bona fide higher education institution either a government-run college/university or select private institutions can apply for the scholarship.

  • Once the application portal opens in September, students will be required to submit personal details, educational qualifications, proof of admission, and bank account information.

  • The scholarship amount ₹30,000 per year will be transferred directly into the students' bank accounts in two instalments each academic year, read the release.