Five Arrested in Alleged Rape Case of Minor in Lucknow
Arrests Made in Disturbing Case
Lucknow, July 27 – Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have apprehended five individuals, including an elderly man, in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl in the PGI police station area of Lucknow. According to police reports, a complaint was filed late Sunday night, detailing that the complainant's 16-year-old sister-in-law had gone missing from home on July 17 without any notice.
Despite extensive searches, no trace of her was found. On July 23, it was revealed that Durgesh and his wife Khushboo had lured the girl to their residence.
Upon reaching their home, the girl disclosed that between July 18 and 20, Rabia and her husband Vinod had taken her to a hotel in the PGI area on a motorcycle and confined her in a room. She further stated that at the hotel, she was introduced to a familiar individual named Dwarka Raidas (70), who allegedly sexually assaulted her for three days.
Based on this complaint, police registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 61(2) (involvement in criminal conspiracy), 64(2) (repeated rape of the same woman), and 137(2) (kidnapping), as well as under the POCSO Act. Teams were formed to apprehend the suspects.
On Sunday, acting on a tip-off, police arrested Dwarka Raidas (70), Vinod Rawat (20), Durgesh Rawat (26), Khushboo (23), and Rabia (18) near Kisan Path. All arrested individuals are residents of Lucknow.
The police statement indicated that the investigation revealed Dwarka Raidas played a significant role in the crime, having forcibly engaged in sexual acts with the minor girl without her consent, alongside the other accused. It was noted that Vinod Rawat, Durgesh Rawat, and Khushboo conspired together to deceive the victim, abducting her and holding her captive at various locations while assisting the other perpetrators.
Furthermore, Rabia was reported to have taken the victim to a hotel and actively facilitated the crime by summoning Dwarka Raidas, enabling him to commit the alleged sexual assault on the minor.
The police concluded that all accused collaborated with a shared criminal intent, each playing distinct roles in this serious offense.