Separate cases of gang rape, molestation reported in UP

A teenager was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint in Ghaziabad this past week, while a 22-year-man was arrested for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old in Greater Noida on Sunday morning, the police said.

In the first incident, a 17-year-old was allegedly gang-raped by three men at gunpoint in Ghaziabad’s Bhojpur on the intervening night of April 19 and 20.

The police said a first information report has been registered in connection with the incident against the three accused. However, the police are verifying the claims made by the victim. Sources said the families of both parties are old rivals.

The police said the victim has claimed that she and her sister-in-law were asleep in an open area of their house on the intervening night of April 19 and 20 when the three accused, identified as Amir, Adil and Zail, barged inside.

“The trio abducted the teenager, took her to a vacant plot in the village and gagged her. One of them was carrying a gun. They took turns to rape her. They also threatened her with dire consequences,” said Arvind Maurya, Superintendent Of Police (Rural) Ghaziabad.

The police said the victim claimed they hit her on the head with the butt of the gun, after which she became semi-conscious. Later, they threw her near her house and fled.

“She managed to reach her home and told her sister-in-law about the incident. On the basis of a complaint filed by the girl’s family, we have registered an FIR against the three accused under Section 376 [rape] of IPC and POCSO Act,” said Mr. Maurya.

No medical examination

A senior officer said they are verifying the complainant’s as she has refused to undergo medical examination.

“In 2012, a case was registered against the victim’s brother for raping Amir’s sister on the pretext of marriage. The woman later committed suicide and an FIR was registered against the victim’s brother under Sections 306, 376, 506 and 120B of the IPC. One of the accused’s brothers was even jailed. However, that case is still under trial at a sessions court,” said a senior police officer.

The police said the current victim’s family had also lodged an FIR against the accused earlier in a similar case. However, those claims were found to be false.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-man was arrested for allegedly trying to molest a seven-year-old girl in Greater Noida’s Jewar on Sunday morning. Locals caught hold of the accused and thrashed him before handing him over to the police. The police said the accused was identified as Monu , a labourer.

“The incident happened around 9.30 a.m. when Monu was walking past a banquet hall in the village. He approached the girl, who was standing outside her house, and tried to lure her on the pretext of giving her candy,” said Ram Sen Singh, Station House Officer (Jewar).

Locals gathered at the spot after the victim raised an alarm. Monu was nabbed by the crowd and thrashed before being handed over to the police. “He has been booked under Sections 354 [assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty] and POCSO Act, 2012, and sent to jail,” said Mr. Singh.

The police said Monu belongs to Aligarh and has been working as a labourer in Jewar since the past three years.