'Will Take Action If Victim Names Party Functionary's Son': BJP Datia Unit Head On MP Gangrape

BJP's Datia unit head in MP said that action will be taken if a gangrape victim names the son of a local party functionary as being involved in the heinous crime.

The head of Bharatiya Janata Party's Datia district unit in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday said that appropriate action will be taken if a gangrape victim names the son of a local party functionary as being involved in the crime, reported PTI. The 19-year-old woman was allegedly abducted and raped by four persons in MP's Datia district on Friday afternoon. After the incident, the victim tried to end her life, police earlier said, as quoted by PTI.

As per the agency, Unav police station in-charge Yadvendra Singh Gurjar on Sunday said that the police have so far arrested one of the accused, an adult, and detained two minors while a search is on for one more accused in the case. A reward of Rs 10,000 has been announced on the absconding accused, he added, reported PTI.

Minor son of a local BJP functionary is also among those nabbed. Notably, his name figured in the First Information Report (FIR) registered in the case.

When asked about it, BJP's district president Surendra Budholia said the incident was unfortunate and the police were yet to record the victim's statement.

"If the victim takes the name of the BJP office-bearer's son in her statement to the police, then the party will serve a notice to him (local functionary). The party will then take further action," Budholia said, quoted PTI. 

A police complaint was lodged by the victim's sister after the incident came to light

"The complainant said she and her elder sister were abducted by four persons. The accused took them to a house, where they raped her elder sister," Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said on Saturday.

He added that following the incident, the victim and her younger sister returned home, where the victim tried to commit suicide.

The victim was later admitted to a hospital in Jhansi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Sharma said. As per the FIR, the accused also sexually abused the complainant, he said. 

A protest erupted at the police station following which the police registered a case. He added that the people were pacified and a copy of the FIR was given to them.

The accused were booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 376 D (gangrape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 342 (wrongful confinement) and sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Sharma had said, reported PTI.