US national's gang-rape: Four accused arrested by Delhi Police

Four persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a US national in the national capital.

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New Delhi: Four persons, including the tour guide, driver, cleaner and a hotel staff, have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a US national in a five-star hotel here earlier this year.

"On December 03, Delhi police registered FIR regarding the incident of gang-rape of US national in a hotel.  Complainant was kind, came down to Delhi, got her statement recorded before police and court, helped in collecting evidence," said Deependra Pathak, Joint CP, South West Delhi, as per ANI.

On the other hand, a senior officer refused to reveal the names of the arrested persons as police will be conducting an identification test parade.

The US national arrived here a few days ago to join the probe and recorded her statement in front of a judicial magistrate where she reiterated the charges she had made in her complaint.

Earlier, she had said that she was not "satisfied" with the probe and was ready to come to India to identify the accused.

On December 8, the tourist guide, accused of raping the woman, along with his accomplices, was questioned by police after his arrival from Nepal.

Police had identified the man and had contacted him while he was in Nepal.

The tour guide had denied his "involvement" in the matter and told police that the victim had given him a "positive feedback" in the forms.

The woman had alleged that she was raped by the men for two days. They also threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the matter to anybody.

She had also stated that the accused had made a video of the act and had threatened to make it public if she reported the matter to anyone. 

Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued notice to Delhi Police demanding why the Rape Crisis Cell of the commission was not informed when police recorded the statement of the US national.

Citing orders of the High court in this regard, the commission said it was deeply saddened to note that in this case the Delhi Police did not inform the Crisis Intervention Centre/ Rape Crisis Cell counselor of the commission when the victim's statements were recorded by the police on December 20.

"This is a very serious matter and a gross violation of the directives of the Delhi High Court in the case wherein it was ordered that the duty officer, immediately, upon receipt of the complaint/ information of a rape case, intimate the same to the Rape Crisis Cell/Crisis Intervention Centre which shall respond to calls of sexual assault at the police station and provide counselling and other support services to victims of rape. The same has been elucidated in standing order No. 303/2016 of Delhi Police," the Commission said in its notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, as per PTI.

The commission also sought the status report in the case stating that they have come to know through a news article that the victim has found the investigation process "unsatisfactory".

(With PTI inputs)