Delhi's Hauz Khas rape accused stayed in park for two days after crime, arrested in same clothes

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New Delhi: The main accused in the Hauz Khas rape case, who was on the run after committing the crime, was arrested by the police from a South Delhi on Tuesday.

Jarnal alias Raja, the 20-year-old man, who allegedly raped a 24-year-old woman inside Deer Park near Hauz Khas Village, did not return to his house at his south Delhi residence after the crime. 

Instead, he travelled frequently from one park to another located in the neighbourhood.

"He was sleeping in a park near his house when we traced him," a senior investigative officer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. 

Surprisingly, his absence from his home over two days did not disturb her mother, who reportedly told the police, "He would stay away from home for days on end."

He was nabbed once he returned home on the intervening night of February 20 and 21, police said. The victim's iPhone and almost Rs 500 were recovered from him.

Raja was not employed at any restaurant and would earn his living by washing utensils at the restaurants and pubs located there that may have been short of staff.

On the night of February 18-19, when the woman was returning from a party in Hauz Khas village along with sister, the accused allegedly offered to drop her home. 

According to police, he apparently told her that his vehicle was parked at some distance near the park. The accused, thereafter, on the pretext of guiding the woman, led her to an isolated stretch in the adjoining park area and raped her twice before repeatedly slapping her.

He then fled from the spot by scaling the wall. The police said that Raja neither left for home not went to see a doctor to get his head injury treated. 

It is to be noted that Raja was allegedly hit with a stone by the victim when he tried to make the first move in the park by touching her inappropriately.

He was arrested by the police in the same clothes in which he had committed the crime.