Varanasi gang rape case: Claims of survivor can't be overruled, says SIT report

Time of India

8 hours ago

Varanasi: The special investigation team (SIT) formed to uncover the truth behind the allegations of a 19-year-old girl, who claimed she was raped by 23 individuals over seven days between March 29 and April 4, submitted its report on Thursday.
In the light of the Supreme Court and high court judgments, the report mentioned that the claims made in her statement cannot be denied. "During her disappearance, the presence of several accused individuals was found at different places and times with her. In such serious cases, SC and HCs have issued various important decisions and guidelines, emphasising that the survivor's statement should be given priority.
In this context, based on her statement and the facts found during the investigation, it cannot be denied that the accused committed the crime," the SIT said.
On April 17, commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal had formed SIT following the submission of a memorandum by the family members, especially women, of the accused persons. The SIT was asked to submit a report within 30 days. Further arrests in the case were stopped until the submission of this SIT report.
Taking note of the SIT report, the CP said, "Based on the recorded statements, medical reports, CCTV footage, call detail records, IP logs, and other evidence collected during its investigation, the SIT concluded that the possibility of the incident occurring cannot be ruled out. The investigator of the case has been asked to incorporate all points mentioned in the SIT report and conclude his investigation impartially and promptly.
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The mother of the survivor reported to Lalpur Pandeypur police station on April 4 that her daughter left home on March 29 but did not return. After lodging the case, the police started searching for her and, after finding her at a friend's house, they asked her to return home. Initially, she refused to return home, but after much persuasion, she was handed over to her family.
On the night of April 6, her mother lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that upon returning home, her daughter revealed that during the period of disappearance, different individuals committed wrongful acts against her at different places.
After lodging the FIR, Lalpur Pandeypur police arrested a total of 14 individuals, including nine named accused on April 8, three on April 11, and two more on April 15.
The survivor was taken for a medical examination to PDDU district hospital, where she initially refused external and internal medical examinations. After the police explained the legal aspects, she agreed to undergo a medical examination.
During the investigation by the SIT, the CDR of various individuals' mobile numbers, witness statements, CCTV footage, the victim's Instagram IP logs, the survivor's statement, and statements of the accused and their relatives were collected, and all evidence was examined.
The investigation revealed that during the period of disappearance, the victim was found to be moving freely and was seen with some of the accused. During this time, she was seen going to the mall and Chausatti Ghat with her colleagues and some friends. During the incident, the victim borrowed mobile phones from about 11 different individuals to log into Instagram and also made several calls. When asked why she didn't go home or inform anyone about the incident, she said she was afraid to go home and didn't tell anyone about the incident due to fear and shame.