The bodies of two Dalit girls, aged 15 and 18, were found hanging from a tree in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad district on Tuesday morning. The local police say that the girls may have taken their own lives, as there are no immediate indications of foul play, according to reports.

The police have sent the bodies for a postmortem examination, and have reported that no suicide note was discovered. “The full picture will only become clear after the postmortem report,” said Alok Priyadarshi, Superintendent of Police, Farrukhabad.

A villager discovered the girls’ bodies and alerted their families and the police. The initial investigation revealed that the girls, who were close friends and lived nearby, were last seen at the house of one of their aunts on Monday evening. Other reports suggest that the girls had gone out to attend a Krishna Janmashtami celebration in their village but did not return home.

When they did not return home, their families initially thought they might have stayed at a local temple where an event was taking place. However, as the night wore on and the girls did not return, their families began searching for them.

The police found a cell phone near the scene and a SIM card from one of the girls’ clothing, both of which are being analysed for further insights. The families have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The girls’ parents are farmers.

(This news story may contain content related to suicide and suicidal behaviour. Such topics can be sensitive and may trigger emotional responses. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviours, we urge you to seek help immediately. Contact your local mental health crisis hotline, a mental health professional, or a trusted person in your life.

You may call 14416 or 1-8008914416 for the Tele MANAS service, a comprehensive mental health care service by the Government of India.)