Four youths who committed the crime in Krishnagiri arrested

A 19-year-old college girl was on Friday gang raped by four youths after tying her 24-year-old male friend to a tree in a grove at Rayakottai village of Denkanikottai taluk in Krishnagiri district. The police on Saturday arrested and jailed all the four accused.

Cheralathan (24), a cab driver of Velampatti village, was on his way to a temple in the car with the girl on Friday evening when the youths in an inebriated condition stopped the vehicle, beat up the girl’s friend and took them to the grove where they tied Cheralathan to a tree with the girl’s sari and raped her. They also took away a mobile phone, gold jewellery, silver chain and Rs. 1,460 in cash from them, the police said.

On hearing her scream, a villager, who was grazing cattle in the area, alerted the locals who informed the Rayakottai police.

The girl and Cheralathan told the police later that they could identify the youths.

Inquiry revealed that one of the accused had videographed the incident in his mobile. The police are yet to trace the phone.

The girl was admitted to the Government Hospital in Krishnagiri. Superintendent of Police P. Kannamal told The Hindu that the girl, under observation, had recovered from shock and would be fit to go to college soon.

The police initially nabbed T. Prakash (26) of Railway Colony, V. Mani (23) of Gandhi Nagar and G. Subramani (26) of Yechampatti, all drivers in Rayakottai. Late on Saturday evening, the police arrested C. Prakash (24) of Dharmapuri district. The four were produced in court and sent to prison, police said. The Rayakottai Police have registered a case under Sections 376 (D) (gang rape), 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 366 (abduction), 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) 397 r/w 67 of Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Expressing shock over the incident, the villagers, who rushed to the spot on being alerted, said that the scene of crime, Vajira Pallam, was two km from the police station, but a secluded spot.

“Many frequently visit the place to consume liquor and for gambling. Trees, bushes and rocks in the area serve as safe haven for criminals even during day time,” the villagers said.