M A I N   N E W S

Two convicted of student’s gangrape
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 6
A Delhi court today convicted two accused of being involved in the November, 2002, Maulana Azad Medical College student gangrape case.

The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Chandra Shekhar, held prime accused Rahul. alias Budh Prakash, and Amit guilty of having committed gangrape. The sentence will be pronounced on January 17.

Two others, Mohanlal and Ashok, who were charged with receiving stolen property (the victim’s mobile phone) and harbouring the main offender, respectively, were, however, acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Rahul and Amit were held guilty under Sections 392, 397 and 376(2)(g) of the IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act.

The gangrape of the fourth-year medical student by four youths in the historic Khooni Darwaza near the Police Headquarters on the busy Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg on November 15, 2002. had put a question mark on the efficiency of the Delhi Police. However, the main accused, Rahul, was arrested within a week on November 22, 2002.

Chronology of events

Nov 16, 2002: FIR lodged on the complaint of a Head Constable.

Nov 21: Victim identifies main accused Rahul from a police dossier.

Nov 22: Rahul arrested and later his interrogation leads to the arrest of other accused.

Jan 18, 2003: Police files chargesheet after Rahul and Amit declared as “major” following ossification tests.

Feb 1: Case committed to Sessions Court.

March 11: Charges framed against the accused.

March 22: Trial commences.

Sept 6: Juvenile Justice Board orders two boys aged 13 and 14 years, who pleaded guilty before it in the case, to be sent to Special Home till they attain majority.

Jan 13, 2004: Recording of statement of accused.

Feb 16: Recording of defence evidence begins.

Aug 17: Final arguments commence.

Dec 14: Judgement reserved. — PTI