Five Arrested for Alleged Gang-Rape in Dehradun

Dehradun, August 18, 2024 — Uttarakhand Police have arrested five individuals in connection with an alleged gang-rape involving a teenage girl on a government bus at the Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Dehradun. The incident reportedly occurred on August 12 but was only brought to the attention of authorities on Saturday.

Incident Details

The Dehradun Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was informed about the victim, who was found alone at the ISBT late at night. She was taken to Bal Niketan, a government-run girls' home, where she disclosed the alleged assault during a counseling session.

Police Investigation

An FIR was filed at Patel Nagar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police used CCTV footage to identify the bus involved and subsequently arrested the suspects.

Suspect Information

The arrested individuals include Dharmendra Kumar (32) and Rajpal (57) from Haridwar, Devendra (52) from Bhagwanpur, Rajesh Kumar Sonkar (38) from Dehradun, and Ravi Kumar (34) from Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. Dharmendra was the bus driver, Devendra the conductor, and Ravi and Rajpal were drivers of other buses. Sonkar worked as a cashier at the ISBT.

Victim’s Statement and Suspects’ Accounts

Initially, the victim stated she was from Punjab but later identified herself as being from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. She traveled from Delhi to Dehradun, where she alleges the assault took place. According to police, Devendra saw the victim in Delhi and advised her to take a bus to Dehradun.

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After arriving in Dehradun, Devendra and Dharmendra are accused of assaulting her, with Ravi and Rajpal allegedly joining in. Devendra later reportedly informed Sonkar, who is also accused of participating in the assault. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to address the case and seek justice for the victim.