BHOPAL: In yet another incident of alleged sexual assault on a minor, a 15-year-old girl was gang-raped and then set on the fire by the accused in Sagar city of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. 


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The girl was rushed to a local hospital and is undergoing treatment. 


A complaint has been registered against two people. According to police, while one accused has been arrested, they have identified the other accused and a search is on to trace him.


The incident comes just days after the National Crime Records Bureau’s latest report revealed that Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of rape cases in 2016. Of the total 38,947 cases of rape reported in India in 2016, Madhya Pradesh alone accounted for 4,882.


On Monday, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly had unanimously passed a bill that awards death penalty, or a minimum of 14 years in jail, or life imprisonment for those convicted of raping children who are 12 and younger. 


The legislation also proposes strict punishment for stalking, disrobing or sex on the pretext of marriage. It will be sent to the Centre and President Ram Nath Kovind for approval.


Rape incidents and crimes against minors have seen a sharp increase in the central state. 


Just days back, on November 8, a 12-year-old was gang-raped by four men in Bhopal, after which the minor was left pregnant.


Last year on the New Year's eve, a 19-year-old UPSC aspirant was allegedly raped when she was returning home from a coaching institute in Bhopal.