Daijiworld Media Network - Surendranagar
Surendranagar, Oct 7: A woman was allegedly beaten, tied to a tree and subjected to rape in Gujarat's Surendranagar district under the pretext of a "purification ritual", police said. A video of the alleged assault was later circulated on social media, prompting police to detain nine people, including two women.
According to police, the married woman had left her husband and was living with another man. Her decision allegedly angered her husband and his family members, who are accused of illegally confining her at their residence. The woman later escaped, but the accused allegedly tracked her down and captured both her and the man accompanying her.
The couple was allegedly taken to Surendranagar on the pretext of conducting a "purification ritual". The woman was allegedly beaten with wooden sticks and kicked before being tied to a tree.
Police further alleged that the man accompanying the woman was forced to rape her. The incident was reportedly recorded, and the video was later circulated on social media.
Surendranagar Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu said police acted after receiving information from community members about the alleged assault and circulation of the video.
Under the supervision of ASP Vedika Bihani, police teams launched a search operation based on information provided by local social leaders and traced the woman. Investigators subsequently detained nine people in connection with the case.
Police registered a case under Sections 70(1), 115(2), 127(3), 142 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66(E) and 67(A) of the Information Technology Act.
Investigators said the two women among those detained allegedly assisted the other accused in carrying out the crime. Police are questioning the survivor and the accused to establish the precise role of each person.
The police are also examining the backgrounds of the accused and investigating the circumstances surrounding the recording and circulation of the video. Further investigation is underway.