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

The victim had, on Monday night, gone to attend a wedding with her family but then 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.