Hyderabad gang rape: Police arrest second accused

 

Telangana Police arrested a juvenile in connection with the alleged gang rape of a teenage girl in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills last week. This is the second arrest in the case.

The accused allegedly gang-raped the girl, 17, who was visiting a pub for a daytime party after offering to drop her home in their car.

On Friday the police arrested an 18-year-old identified as Saduddin Malik.

The father of the 17-year-old girl lodged a police complaint on May 31 stating that she might have been molested but she could not disclose what happened as she was in a state of shock, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Joel Davis on Friday said a case on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and under relevant sections of the POCSO Act was registered after the girl’s father complained. The girl was sent to a ‘Bharosa’ support centre for women and children of the city police as she is a minor.

Women personnel of the centre comforted her and a statement was recorded, Davis said.

Based on the girl’s statement, the case was altered by invoking IPC section 376D (gang rape) and other relevant sections of the POCSO Act, the official said, adding that she could not identify the accused as they were not known to her.

Investigation teams have collected and analysed CCTV footage and other evidence, and have identified five people, he said.

An 18-year-old accused was arrested on Friday, the police official said. Prima facie, the police have evidence against three juveniles and another 18-year-old person, Davis said. Police teams are on the job of apprehending the other accused, and they will be apprehended within 48 hours, he said.

A juvenile allegedly involved in the case could not be apprehended as it was nighttime. He will be picked up during daytime on Saturday, the official said.

One of the juveniles is the son of a prominent person, he added.

Replying to a query, the police official said the son of an MLA was not among the five accused as per available evidence.

The investigation would continue and further action would be taken accordingly, he said.

The issue assumed political colour, with the opposition BJP alleging the involvement of ruling TRS and AIMIM leaders in the matter and taking exception to an alleged delay in arresting the accused.

Raising slogans against the police and others, BJP activists held a dharna at the Jubilee Hills police station in the city, demanding expeditious action.