Pune Cops Arrest A Suspect In Gang-Rape Case; Search On For Two Others

Police have arrested one of the three men accused of raping a 21-year-old woman on the outskirts of Pune city last week, officials said on Friday.

The arrested accused, a 28-year-old man, as well as his absconding associates had criminal record, an official said.

The investigators ascertained the identities of the accused with the help of CCTV footage obtained from a hotel on the road leading to Bopdev Ghat. Their faces matched the description given by the victim woman and her male friend, officials said.

The woman was allegedly raped by three men on the night of October 3 in Bopdev Ghat area where she had gone out with a male friend. The assailants beat up her friend too.

"After zeroing in on one of the suspects through CCTV footage, we took the help of technical analysis and local intelligence and the identity was established. He was nabbed early Friday morning," said Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar.

The man has a case of theft registered against him.

Kumar said that as all three suspects had criminal record in theft cases, after committing the crime they took great care to avoid CCTV cameras while fleeing.

"They made a detour of around 80 km just to go to Khed Shivapur plaza on Satara Road which is hardly 20 km from that spot. After they learnt on October 4 that an offence had been registered, they fled the city. However, the arrested accused returned later," the commissioner said.

About 700 police personnel were deployed to identify and trace the culprits, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis said while congratulating police for the success.

Police had also declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information about the culprits.

"An incident shaming humanity had taken place, but police have now arrested one accused and the remaining two accused will also be nabbed as their whereabouts have been traced," Fadnavis said, speaking to reporters at a police department-related event in the city.

"With the help of technical analysis, police managed to zero in on one of the accused," he said, adding that the government will ensure that the accused get the strictest possible punishment.

Commissioner Kumar, meanwhile, said police are now identifying 'black spots' around Bopdev Ghat where mobile network is patchy, and asking mobile service providers to set up towers there.

"Street lights will be installed and the existing police outpost there will be made functional as the spot is frequented by picnickers," he said.