GUWAHATI: Following the viral circulation of a gang-rape video in the capital, police nabbed eight of nine suspects within 24 hours of receiving the information. The suspects were identified through video analysis, with one individual still evading capture.
Padmanabh Baruah, DCP (West), said preliminary probe revealed the incident occurred on Nov 17 during Raas festival at a secluded place under Garchuk police station’s jurisdiction.
“One of the suspects took the woman to his dwelling before taking her to the incident location at Boragaon in the city. The other suspects assembled at the location and purportedly committed the offence. Investigations indicate the woman accompanied them consensually,” he said.
The officer said three suspects were involved in penetrative sexual assault while another filmed the incident.
The suspects are Kuldeep Nath (23), Bijoy Rabha (22), Pinku Das (18), Gagan Das (21), Saurav Boro (20), Mrinal Rabha (19), Rabin Das (23), and Dipankar Mukhiya (21). Mukhiya resides in Tetelia while others are Boragaon residents.
Questioning revealed that a few youths brought alcohol and a few others brought ganja to the location, and local residents confirmed that unknown youths, including those detained, frequently visit this secluded spot to consume these substances.
“The woman’s identity remains unknown presently. Our investigation is ongoing. We possess substantial evidence against the suspects. The video serves as concrete evidence as their faces are distinctly visible,” he added.
The circulation of the video came to the notice of police when Mayurjit Gogoi, officer in charge of Garchuk police station, received information from a local television channel reporter at approximately 2:30 am on Friday regarding its circulation among Boragaon residents.
“Following this information and video analysis, the OC and team immediately conducted raids across Garchuk and Jalukbari Police Stations’ jurisdictions. Initially, two suspects were apprehended, and their information led to subsequent arrests across various city locations,” the DCP stated.
The officer said some of the suspects work as PWD labourers while others as delivery executives. He urged the public against sharing the video, emphasising it concerns women’s modesty and distribution constitutes an offence. Police have initiated a suo moto case without and commenced investigation.
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
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