Bhopal: The MP Nagar police today arrested four youths for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 21-year-old college student. The accused, caught after she lodged the complaint this morning, were paraded through busy streets by the police. While the alleged incident took place last evening, the woman lodged a complaint with the MP Nagar Police Station this morning, and all four accused were arrested within an hour, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dharmendra Choudhary said.
The accused were paraded through busy streets, and some women among the onlookers were seen thrashing them and they were made to do sit-ups. Madhya Pradesh have taken to parading habitual eve-teasers or those accused of sexual offences through streets, as a measure of deterrence after the government came under fire for increase in crime against women.
The DIG said that Shailendra Dangi (21), who is the victim’s senior in her college, called her to a restaurant in the MP Nagar locality on Sunday. Sonu Dangi (21), Dhiraj Rajput (26) and Chiman Rajput (25) were already present in the room, according to the complaint. Shailendra and Dhiraj threatened to kill her and her family, and raped her, while Sonu and Chiman helped the duo, she told police.
Afterwards they let her go, but warned not to disclose the incident to anyone, she said. All were booked for gang-rape as they were supposed to have acted with a common intention, additional superintendent of police Vikas Kumar Sahwal said. IPC sections 376 (rape), 376 (d) (gang-rape) and 365 (kidnapping) were pressed against them.
The accused confessed to the crime, DIG Choudhary said, adding that further probe is on. When asked why police is parading the accused through the streets, Bhopal Inspector General of Police Jaideep Kumar said it has boosted women’s confidence, and they are now coming forward to lodge complaints in such cases.
SP Bhopal (South) Rahul Kumar Lodha said that the accused work as bouncer at 11 mill toll plaza. The accused within nabbed within an hour of the incident. Victim was aware of the main accused Shailendra and was acquainted with her around two years ago and later they had a fight after which the incident took place, he added.