Party gang rape: All accused present in video; cops record 2nd girl’s statement
Times of India | 10 March 2024
Kolkata: Police on Saturday recorded the statement of a second girl, who was found to be present at the March 5 party in Behala, where a 19-year-old girl was drugged and raped by five youngsters, supposedly her friends. Four of the accused were arrested and the fifth one, a minor, was appprehended and sent to a home.
“This crucial witness confirmed the presence of the accused and the survivor in the same room.The girl confirmed the accused had collected the keys of the room from a common friend, saying they wanted to drink there. She said she had left early and was not a victim of the crime,” said an officer.
Police said the survivor’s claim of being videographed during the assault was genuine and that they had recovered the footage. Police said the clippings showed all the accused were present during the act. “We are questioning the four accused why they made the video. We want to establish their ulterior motive. Additional legal sections may be added,” said the officer.
The first-year college student, was allegedly gang raped at a party attended by her friends and the act was filmed with intention for extortion. “The accused, Rathindra Nayak alias Subho (24), Tamojit Sarder (19), Debojyoti Dutta (20) and Sanjay Haldar, will be in police custody till March 18. The minor will be in the home till March 21 ,” said DC (Behala) Saumya Roy.
The police denied shielding anyone as alleged in some political circles. “We have gone by the video and audio evidence and the survivor’s written statement. We have arrested everyone involved in the crime,” said an officer.