30-year-old tribal woman beaten up, gang-raped at Khandwa graveyard

In a shocking incident, a 30-year-old tribal woman was allegedly beaten up and gang-raped by five persons at a graveyard in Khandwa district on Monday night.

In a shocking incident, a 30-year-old tribal woman was allegedly beaten up and gang-raped by five persons at a graveyard in Khandwa district on Monday night.

After committing the crime, the accused fled the scene leaving the survivor naked and seriously injured.

All the five accused — identified as Santu alias Santosh, Bhuru alias Amzad, Rajesh alias Guddu alias Bruceli, Suresh alias Bhopali and Amju — were arrested by the police within hours, said Kotwali police incharge Ajit Patel.

According to the police, the incident occurred at Bada Kabristan (graveyard) under Kotwali police station limit at around 11 pm.

The victim, who hails from Khargone and had come to Khandwa seven days ago, was passing through the Abna river bridge when she saw the five accused standing on the bridge in the afternoon. As she was hungry and not familiar with the place, she asked them to help her.

The accused won the victim’s confidence by offering her food and took her to the graveyard under the bridge, where they raped her taking turns, the police said. The accused allegedly also bashed her badly and torn her clothes when she resisted.

Later in the morning, the victim somehow reached to a nearby locality, where the local women offered her clothes and food and informed the police.

The victim who was in a state of shock and had sustained injuries was admitted to the district hospital, Patel said.

Additional superintendent of police Gopal Khandel said a case has been lodged at the Kotwali police station and investigations are on.