Hyderabad, Feb 11 (IANS): Police on Thursday launched a probe into the alleged kidnapping and assault of a pharmacy student on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The victim, who was returning home from college in Kandlakoya, was allegedly kidnapped by an autorickshaw driver. She was found disrobed and in an injured condition at Jodimetla by some locals and taken to a private hospital at Medipally.

Keesara police under the Rachakonda commissionerate took up the investigation. The victim was brought to Gandhi Hospital for a medical examination and was later shifted back to Nature Cure Hospital.

The investigating officers recorded the victim's statement. Police reportedly picked up four suspects for questioning.

It is suspected that autorickshaw driver was not alone in kidnapping the student and assaulting her. The victim was allegedly given sedatives by the accused.

Medchal child welfare hospital official Jyothi Padma who met the victim at the hospital, said they were waiting for medical reports to know if she was sexually assaulted.

She said the timely response by the police saved the girl.

After the autorickshaw driver diverted the vehicle in wrong direction, the victim had alerted her parents on mobile. They informed the police which swung into action to trace and rescue her. Panicked over this, the accused abandoned her near Jodimetla.

Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod expressed shock over the incident and instructed Rachakonda Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat to take stringent action against the culprits.