25-year-old ‘gangraped’ in moving car in Kolkata

International Desk: Bringing back memories of the 2012 Park Street rape case, a 25-year-old woman was allegedly raped by four persons in a moving vehicle in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area Sunday night. After taking turns to rape her, the accused reportedly pushed her out of the car. The woman — reportedly hailing from Nepal — has been staying in the area for the last three years.

 

According to the complaint lodged with the police, she had left home in an Uber cab around 11 pm on Sunday to visit a coffee shop. She apparently mistook the location and got off near College More at Sector V.

 

“She said she was confused about the location and thus sought help from a youth, who was standing nearby. The youth reportedly said he did not know exactly where the shop was but would confirm the same from his friends. He then called up someone,” a senior police officer said.

 

“Soon, three youths arrived in an SUV. They offered her a lift to the coffee shop. As soon as she and the youth from whom she asked for directions got into the car, they sped off. The four allegedly took turns to rape her,” the police officer said.

 

The complaint stated that around 3 am Monday, the youths pushed her out of the car at Baishakhi More in Salt Lake. There, the woman claimed a taxi driver spotted her and took her to Bidhannagar North police station. She was then taken to Salt Lake’s women police station and a complaint was formally lodged. “A case has been lodged. No one has been arrested yet but we are conducting raids,” said Jawed Shamim, Bidhannagar City Police Commissioner. Sources said police were scanning CCTV camera footage of the area to identify the vehicle.

 

The woman was admitted to Bidhannagar Sub-Division Hospital, where she underwent a medical test. Sources said prima facie doctors have confirmed rape.

 

Officials at the Nepal Consul General said they were in touch with Bidhannagar Commissionerate.

 

“It is a sad incident. We are in touch with the police,” said Sita Basnet, acting Nepal Consul General.

 

Another official said that it is yet to be established whether the woman hailed from Nepal. “We are awaiting a confirmation. If her nationality is confirmed, we will write to the West Bengal government, requesting for a speedy investigation,” he said.

 

Source: Agencies

 

risingbd/Dhaka/May 31, 2016/A K Azad