Two held for ‘gangraping’ minor during Puja in south Kolkata

“According to the complaint lodged by the victim, she had gone for pandal hopping with one of the accused on Nabami.” (Representational Image)

TWO YOUTHS were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly gangraping a 16-year-old girl during Durga Puja, on September 29, in south Kolkata’s Pragati Park area. Police said the victim, who is originally from South 24 Parganas, stays with her aunt in Bansdroni area. She reportedly knew one of the accused, an officer said.

“According to the complaint lodged by the victim, she had gone for pandal hopping with one of the accused on Nabami. She has alleged that when she got tired, the accused took her to an under-construction building to take rest. Two of his friends were reportedly already present there,” said an officer of Bansdroni police, which is probing the incident.

“She was allegedly made to drink and lost consciousness. The accused allegedly took turns to rape her. On Saturday, she lodged a complaint and an FIR was lodged,” the officer added.

DC (south sub-urban division) Rupesh Kumar said: “She said she has been gangraped. Based on her complaint, two persons have been arrested. The two have been booked under IPC and POCSO Act, and sent to police custody till October 9.

In another incident, the Nandigram police on Tuesday arrested one person for allegedly raping a 32-year-old woman inside a local club in Amdabad area of East Midnapore district. Police said that according to a complaint lodged by the woman, she was raped by a local club member, Ashit Hazra (40), on Monday.

“The complainant has said that the accused had assured her that he will get her Rs 40,000 under the government’s Indira Aawas Yojna, if she was ready to pay a bribe of Rs 10,000. However, she had refused to pay the bribe. On September 30, when she stepped out of her house, the accused allegedly called her to the club, which was deserted then,” said a police officer.

“There, the two indulged in heated arguments. The accused reportedly demanded Rs 10,000 from her, which she refused. She was then allegedly raped,” the officer added.