Court acquits six accused of gangraping US national

Mumbai: Acquitting six students of the charge of gangraping a US national, the Bombay High Court Wednesday dismissed the Maharashtra government challenge to a trial court verdict in their favour, a lawyer said.

"The division bench of Justice Mridula Bhatkar and Justice N.H. Patil said that there is no evidence to prove the gangrape," said Rohini Salian, defence lawyer of one of the accused, Vinamra Soni.

In April 2009, the 23-year-old student of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) accused six friends - Harshvardharn Yadav, Vinamra Soni, Anish Borkataki, Jaskaran Singh Bhullar, Kundanraj Borgohain and Dev Colabawala - of gangraping her after calling her to a party.

"The trial court acquitted the accused as the victim's statement was inconsistent. She first claimed three persons could have raped her and later said it could be six," Salian said.

"She also said that she suspected she was raped and not that she was sure that the act took place. Medical evidence also showed no indication of any sort of sexual contact of the victim with any of the accused," the lawyer added.

The court said that in case of absence of direct or indirect evidences, the offence could not be proved.

"In this case neither the woman is saying directly that she was raped nor is there any evidence to prove so. Even the medical tests are negative," the lawyer said, quoting the judges.

On April 12, 2009, the victim joined a party outside the institute's campus in Trombay in north Mumbai along with two of the accused, who later invited her to their home nearby, she alleged.

There the other accused were already present and they committed the crime, she alleged.

In October 2010, a Mumbai trial court acquitted all six accused due to lack of evidence, following which the state government filed an appeal in the high court.
 

                                           Home | Top of the Page

Top Stories

Upbeat netizens give a strong thumbs up to AMU Malegaon

From Malegaon to Mumbai and Pune, and from United States to Saudi Arabia, the netizens are overwhelmed by the news that the land proposal for AMU Malegaon has finally been approved by  »

Finally, Maharashtra govt nod to AMU Malegaon; ball now in VC's court

Give us AMU centre: Girl students of Malegaon demand on Women's Day

  Most Read

Maharashtra cuts VAT on diesel, kerosene by 2 percent

Providing marginal relief to the common man reeling under inflation, Maharashtra Wednesday announced a two percent reduction in value added tax on diesel and kerosene. Announcing this here  »

Independent India's first caste census kicks-off

Independent India's first census to determine the caste-wise breakup of the country's 1.21 billion people was launched here Wednesday. It was launched in this remote tribal dominated village, 45 km north  »

Poverty, caste census will be almost paperless

  News Pick

20 students, 15 policemen injured in Kerala clash

Twenty students affiliated to the two Communist parties and 15 policemen were injured in clashes here Wednesday during protests against the Kerala government's policy regarding admission to private medical  »

Militants storm Kabul hotel, 13 dead

Thirteen people, including six attackers, were killed and eight others injured when Taliban militants stormed a luxury hotel frequented by foreign nationals in the Afghan capital, Xinhua   »

Google unveils social network to challenge Facebook

The Internet search engine introduced Google+ social network for what it called 'real-life sharing.' To be available first by invitation only, Google said its social network will meet the most basic human needs to connect with   »

India, New Zealand eye early trade pact, launch education initiative

Pushing for an early free trade area (FTA) agreement, India and New Zealand, home to some of the most exotic landscapes, Tuesday  »

Picture of the Day

They are not high-profile celebrities, but at least 33 wildlife lovers have adopted animals at Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park here under their unique guardianship scheme. Others can also do the same. A board is put outside the enclosure with the name of the sponsor.

(Photo: IANS)