An identification parade of suspects in the rape of a 11-year-old girl was conducted in Central Prison, Puzhal, in the presence of two judicial magistrates on Wednesday.
Last week, a complaint was lodged with the All-Women Police Station in Ayanavaram that a 11-year-old girl, living in a gated community in the area, had been raped by service personnel working at the apartment. In her written complaint, the mother of victim alleged that the lift operator, security guards, plumber and staff of a private service firm had raped her child over more than six months, from January. The offence came to light when the victim was taken to a private hospital after she complained of stomach pain, and later the case was referred to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital.
Based on initial identification by the child, the police claimed they had arrested 17 persons, including 56-year-old Ravikumar, a lift-operator, who sexually assaulted her initially when she used the lift to reach home on returning from school. He and his accomplices sexually assaulted the child repeatedly in various places in the apartment complex, where the child lived.
Statement recorded
Subsequently, a magistrate recorded the child’s statement. On July 17, the Mahila Court remanded the suspects in judicial custody and ordered them to be subjected to medical examination.
Under such circumstances, the child was brought to the Central Prison, Puzhal, wherein the suspects were lodged. According to sources, the prison authorities brought the 17 suspects to the parade spot. The suspects were made to stand at a distance from the victim, who was with an investigation officer and women judicial magistrates. The proceedings of parade, which lasted four hours, was duly recorded and would be sent to the trial court to be used as evidence.
On the rationale behind taking the child to the prison, the authorities clarified the identification parade was normally conducted at a separate place on the prison campus. Moreover, law allowed the identification parade of suspects with the victim and that would be used as evidence during the trial.