Rape accused owns car; other accused are drivers, mechanics

The accused in the Sultanpuri rape case are cab drivers and mechanics who wanted to have a good time. Karan Choudhury reports.

The accused in the Sultanpuri rape case are cab drivers and mechanics who wanted to have a good time.

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The main accused, Rama (28) is married and has two children. The police say although the accused committed the rape, they are not professional criminals.

"They are very scared right now as they have no idea what will happen to them. They even told us not to tell their wives as they are apparently scared of the consequences," said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The police said that Rama owns the black Hyundai Accent car in which the rape was allegedly committed.

"Rama is the owner of the car, which he claims to have bought from an agency for about Rs 1.5 lakh. He kept his car with a travel agency and would drive it on getting an assignment," said Chhaya Shama, deputy commissioner of police (Outer).

Police said that Rama is still paying the instalments for the car's purchase. He had got the money after depositing cash in the local resident money pool.

In 2007, Rama had a case of assault registered against him.

The other accused, Chander Pal, 23, and Manish, 25, are also drivers employed with travel agencies. They have no previous criminal records.

According to police, the 14-year-old, who was allegedly drinking beer and then helped the other four accused in abducting the girl, works as a mechanic in Mongolpuri.

The police said the victim's mother and elder sister work in a factory. She has two younger brothers as well.