In a horrific incident that came to light on Sunday, a 16-year-old girl from Hyderabad was allegedly gang-raped for over four years by her cousin and his friends. According to reports, the prime accused is a cousin of the survivor, who was sharing the same roof. He reportedly spiked her drink and raped her.
He filmed the entire incident and threatened to upload the content on porn websites, if she does not fulfil his sexual desires. This incident took place in 2015.
Later, he moved out of the house and stayed independently. His friends from the same locality, also allegedly joined in the act and would take turns to rape her. This had pushed the survivor into depression, and she finally mustered the courage to share her ordeal with her parents.
Deccan Chronicle quoted a family member as saying, "She slipped into depression and shared her plight with the family members, following which, we approached the Bharosa centre, who asked us to file a complaint with the Kamatipura police."
Following a complaint at the Kamatipura police station early last month in December, all the accused were taken into custody since under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012. The survivor has been seeking counselling.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, seeking justice to the survivor, family members and residents of Bahadurpura held a dharna alleging that police did not arrest another accused who had also allegedly raped the survivor.
Responding to this, a DCP South Zone Ambar Kishor Jha, told New Indian Express, "We have arrested three accused already based on the girl's statement. Her statement would be taken again by Bharosa staff soon. Based on the evidence collected, we will initiate necessary action. There is no discrepancy in the investigation as claimed by the girl's relatives."
Speaking to DC, Hyderabad Commissioner Anjani Kumar assured that all the accused involved in the crime would be arrested.