Five arrested for raping 15-year-old girl in Shahdol

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Five people were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 15-year-old girl in Shahdol district, police said on Wednesday. The illegally constructed houses of the accused were razed to the ground by the administration with the help of the police.

The rape incident took place on Monday evening within Kotwali police station limits when the girl was returning from a coaching class.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Dinesh Chandra Sagar told Free Press, “The unfortunate incident took place on Monday evening, May 6. The minor victim was coming from a coaching class with her friend and they were intercepted by five people. “The defendant took her towards a wooded area, took the victim’s friend hostage and raped the girl.”

After committing the crime, the defendant fled the scene. The victim lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station and an FIR was immediately registered in the matter.

An SIT (Special Investigation Team) was formed and started searching for the accused, Sagar said.

SP Kumar Prateek said the arrested men have been identified as Aishwarya Nidhi Gupta (36), Saleem Qureshi (22), Kailash Panika (29), Saleem (18) and Afzal Ansari (28) and as per relevant provisions of the Indian Criminal Court were charged under the Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

He further added that the district administration and police team razed the illegally constructed houses one by one on Wednesday. He added that if any part remains due to the light, it will be removed on Thursday.

The SP added that all five accused would be produced before the court on Thursday morning.

Published on: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 06:38 PM IST