Kullu, December 17
Almost six months after a 31-year-old US tourist was gang-raped in Manali, a Kullu court today sentenced three Nepalese youths to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the crime.

District and Session Judge Purender Vaidya sentenced the three — Lucky (24) of Solang village, Arjun (22) of Prini village and Som Bahadur (25) of Aleo village — to 20-year RI and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each. In case of default of payment, they will have to further undergo a two-year jail term.

The accused had gang-raped the California resident in a truck (HP 58 3649) at Shinag village, near Manali, around 1.30 am on June 4.

The police had arrested the three within 24 hours of the crime. The victim had provided vital clues to the police, including details of the truck. The accused were further convicted under Section 392 (committing robbery) of the Indian Penal Code and were sentenced to five years in jail and fined Rs 25,000. Both sentences will run concurrently. The investigating team headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Ravinder Jamwal arrested the accused and got their conviction in a record time.

They had robbed her of valuables, including an I-Phone, a camera, $30, Rs 5,000 and around 1,500 Thai baht.

* The 31-year-old US tourist was gang-raped by three accused in a truck after being offered a ride near Manali on June 4

* The police arrested the three within 24 hours of the crime; the prosecution got their conviction in a record time of six months