4 abduct, gangrape minor in Moga village

Faridkot, February 1

The police booked four youths of a village in Moga district on Thursday for the alleged abduction and rape of a minor girl.

Thrashed before abuse

The 17-year-old daughter of a daily wage earner was abducted when she was on her way home after buying groceries from a shop in the village. The victim alleged that the suspects gagged her mouth and took her to a room in a field, thrashed and raped her.

One of the suspects has been identified as a neighbour of the girl. Three other suspects are yet to be identified by the victim.

As per a complaint lodged with the police, the 17-year-old daughter of a daily wager was abducted when she was on her way home after buying groceries from a shop in the village. The girl alleged that one of the accused, identified as Laxman Singh, who lives in her neighbourhood, dragged her into a car in which three other youths were already present. The victim alleged the suspects gagged her mouth and took her to a field.

After beating her up in a room in a field, the girl was allegedly raped by the youths. When her condition deteriorated, the victim was dropped near her home in an unconscious state.

While the police have failed to arrest any of the suspects so far, the father of the victim alleged that he was getting threats. He said the victim was his elder daughter and he had two younger children.

Sources in the Police Department said all four suspects were believed to be residents of the same village. As Laxman Singh was absconding, the police said his arrest would reveal the identitiy of three other suspects involved in the crime.

The police have registered a criminal case under Sections 363 (abduction), 323 (criminal assault) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The victim was admitted to the Civil Hospital where she was undergoing treatment.