US student gang rape: 5 accused reiterate they are not guilty

Five of the six collegians, arrested for allegedly raping a 23-year-old US national studying at Tata Institute of Social Sciences in April 2009, maintained in court that they were not guilty.

Five of the six collegians, arrested for allegedly raping a 23-year-old US national studying at Tata Institute of Social Sciences in April 2009, maintained in court that they were not guilty.

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A fast track trial court on Wednesday recorded the final statements of the five accused according to provisions of Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code — the accused can personally explain any circumstances appearing in the evidence against him.

“The court recorded the statements of Vinamra Soni (21), Harshvardhan Yadav (22), Jashkaran Bhullar (20), Anish Borkataki (21) and Dev Colabawala (21). The statement of the Kundanraj Borgohain (22) will be recorded on Saturday,” said defence lawyer Rohini Salian.

She refused to divulge any details.

According to the prosecution, the woman was raped by the six accused at Borgohain’s Andheri flat on April 12, 2009.

The accused first met the woman at XO bar in Deonar. Later they took her to Borgohain’s flat, the Trombay police had claimed.

The victim had told the police that when she woke up the next morning she realised that she had been sexually abused.

The police filed a chargesheet in July 2009.

On January 7, 2010, the court framed charges against the six accused for gang rape and committing a crime with common intention.

All accused, except Borgohain, are in police custody since their arrest. Borgohain was granted bail in September 2009.

While the Bombay High Court, earlier this month, had refused to discharge Borgohain from the case. He had claimed that though he had accompanied the other five accused he had no part in the crime.