6-member SIT team formed to probe Varanasi gangrape case

VARANASI: A deputy commissioner of police rank officer will lead a six-member Special Investigation Team to investigate the alleged Varanasi gang rape case, according to officials.
Speaking to ANI, Varanasi commissioner of police, Mohit Agrawal stated, "On April 6th, an FIR was registered in which a 19-year-old woman alleged that a number of her friends raped her at separate locations on separate dates. The woman had accused a total of 23 people. In this case, 14 people were arrested. Today (Thursday), the people from families of the persons named in the FIR and those arrested came to the Police station with pieces of evidence containing videos in which the woman was seen in questionable postures at ghats and other places between March 29th and April 4th. In a video, she was seen in some videos. These people have also mentioned money being extorted from them. They are also alleging that if she was being raped a number of times then why did she not approach the Police before".
He subsequently confirmed the formation of the SIT, stating, "A 6-member SIT has been formed to be led by a DCP rank officer which will probe the case."
The victim's father provided details about the incident involving his daughter.
He recounted, "My daughter left home to visit her friend. All these incidents happened to her soon after. She left home on March 29 and visited the ghat with her friend and spent a day there. She came in contact with boys after that, and 3-4 days passed by. We were all worried, and fearing judgement, we tried finding her ourselves, but in vain. We approached the police on April 3. She was found on April 4 by the police. She was in bad state. After treatment, when she became normal, she narrated the whole incident."
Police reports indicate the girl was taken away and subjected to assault for several days. The victim claims 23 individuals raped her over seven days. Authorities continue their search for remaining suspects.
The father additionally stated, "She was intoxicated many times by many people and was gang-raped. The involvement of so many men indicates that it was a planned attempt. My daughter studied Commerce in her inter, and she was planning on pursuing sports. She is 19 years old. I do not know or recognise any accused. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is known for tactfully handling such cases. I urge him to give us justice. I do not demand the accused to be hanged, but the punishment should be so severe that people think twice before raping anyone."
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)