The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Morni gangrape incident has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that the victim’s husband was involved in trafficking and had sent her to the accused guest house owner.
The woman on July 19 had alleged that she was raped for four days by 8-10 people, including two cops, at Lovely guest house in Kaimbwala village of Morni from July 15 till 18. The incident had hit national headlines as the Panchkula police initially failed to take note of the victim’s complaint and the case was registered in Chandigarh. It was later transferred to Panchkula.
A woman assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Saraswati, was even suspended for turning away the rape victim while Morni police post incharge ASI Mange Ram and area security agent Pradeep Kumar were also suspended. Assistant commissioner of police (ACP, women) Mamta Sodha and station house officer (SHO), women police, Rajesh Kumari were transferred. The role of Kumari came under the scanner after the ASI claimed she acted in line with her orders.
Additional advocate general Deepak Sabharwal told the court that on examination of the call record and tower locations of various accused persons, the husband was found involved. He later on also admitted to his involvement before the special investigating team (SIT) in a video statement and said that the victim was sent for the purpose of “prostitution”.
{{/usCountry}}Additional advocate general Deepak Sabharwal told the court that on examination of the call record and tower locations of various accused persons, the husband was found involved. He later on also admitted to his involvement before the special investigating team (SIT) in a video statement and said that the victim was sent for the purpose of “prostitution”.
{{/usCountry}}The police have told court that the woman had named only two persons — Sunny, the owner, and Avtar Singh, the manager, and later the SIT arrested nine more persons. Further investigation is underway.
The matter has been adjourned by the high court bench of chief justice Krishna Murari and justice Arun Palli, seeking fresh status report by October 9.