Two, including son of TRS leader, arrested in Hyderabad teenage girl rape case

The Hyderabad police have arrested two teenage boys on the charge of raping an 18-year-old girl in a car in the posh Jubilee Hills area of the city on May 28.

One of the arrested boys is the son of Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s (TRS) senior leader.

The teenage girl had visited a pub in Hyderabad five days ago for a daytime party. She was allegedly gang-raped by five people, including three juveniles, police said.

The father of the 18-year-old girl lodged a police complaint on May 31 stating that she might have been molested but she could not disclose what happened as she was in a state of shock.

Addressing a press conference on Friday night, Deputy Commissioner of Police Joel Davis said a case on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and under relevant sections of the POCSO Act was registered after the girl’s father complained.

The girl was sent to a ‘Bharosa’ support centre for women and children of the city police as she is a minor. Women personnel of the centre comforted her and a statement was recorded, Davis said.

Based on the girl’s statement, the case was altered by invoking IPC section 376D (gang rape) and other relevant sections of the POCSO Act, the official said, adding that she could not identify the accused as they were not known to her.

Prima facie, the police have evidence against three juveniles and another 18-year-old person, Davis said.

Investigation teams have collected and analysed CCTV footage and other evidence, and have identified five people, he said.

TRS Working President and Telangana minister KT Rama Rao has sought immediate and stern action in the case.

The BJP has alleged a nexus of TRS and Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM party in delaying the arrest of the accused.

Meanwhile, the apex child rights body, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR); has sought an explanation from the Hyderabad police over the delay in the registration of an FIR in connection with the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in the city.

The NCPCR has also sought the registration of an FIR against a city pub for allowing entry to minors.

Also read: Five school-going boys from Hyderabad booked for raping teenaged girl

The girl had attended a daytime party at the pub before she was raped by five people, including three juveniles, on May 28.

“The Commission has observed that since the incident allegedly/reportedly took place on 28.05.2022 (Saturday), the FIR in the said incident has been lodged on 31.05.2022, i.e. after three days of the incident. The delay in registering the FIR in the matter is a matter of concern. Reasons thereof may be furnished and action against the concerned errant official should also be taken and appraised to the Commission,” the NCPCR said in a letter to the Hyderabad police on Friday.

The Commission also asked the police to ensure that the victim’s identity is not revealed during the investigation.

The NCPCR further said that a pub allowing entry to minors is also a matter of serious concern. “Therefore, the Commission is of the view that an FIR should also be lodged against the said pub authorities and action taken thereof be informed,” it said.

It also asked the police to furnish a detailed case report within seven days from the date of receipt of this letter including age proof of minor victims, true and legible copy of FIR, copy of statements of the victim, copy of charge sheet, present status of investigation and action taken against the accused.

(With inputs from agencies)