Gonda man arrested ‘for threatening rape survivor’s sister’

The rape case dates back to July 5 this year when the 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by one Firoz (22) of the same village and the same day his cousin Naushad took her to Mumbai where he kept her at his friend’s place.

“A case was lodged on July 6 against Firoz, Naushad and five others, including Firoz’s parents, uncle Phoolman under IPC sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 (abducting or inducing woman to compel her for marriage). The girl was later traced and brought to Gonda after a few days. In her statement recorded before the magistrate, she alleged Firoz raped her while Naushad forcibly took her to Mumbai,” Shiv Sharan Gaur, Investigation Officer (IO) of the case, told The Indian Express.

The girl’s medical examination report, however, had not confirmed the sexual assault on her then, claimed Gaur. “On the basis of her statement, names of three more accused were added in the FIR. These three were friends of Naushad who had helped him get a shelter for keeping the girl in Mumbai. Firoz was booked under IPC Section 376 (rape) and section 3/4 of Prevention Of Children from Sexual Offences Act, besides 506 (criminal intimidation),” Gaur said.

Firoz and two others were arrested then, but Firoz’s parents were not held, he said. While two were released on bail, Firoz is still lodged in jail. Phoolman was also supposed to get arrested but he got a stay order against his arrest from the High Court, the IO added.