Hyderabad: The accused in the Hyderabad gang-rape case allegedly tried to destroy evidence of the crime by wiping off the car where five youths, including three minors, allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl on May 28.
However, despite the attempts to destroy evidence, investigators managed to recover some crucial evidence — such as biological fluid, earrings, footwear, and hair — and send them for forensic examination.
The police have now invoked Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code (causing the disappearance of evidence of the offence or giving false information to screen the offender) against the accused.
The girl and her attackers had met at a party inside a pub in Hyderabad's upscale Jubilee Hills on May 28.
As per reports, the pub was booked by two minors for a big bash before school reopening. After booking the space for ₹ 900 to 1,000 per head, they allegedly sold tickets for ₹ 1,300 apiece to those who attended the party.
The girl came to the party with her friend, who left early. She later met the group that assaulted her the same evening inside the Innova car. Security footage shows her standing outside the club with the group.
The police recorded her statement in front of a magistrate yesterday.
Four of the attackers are in police custody - an accused named Sadauddin Mallik and three minors. The police have sought 10-day custody of the four. A fifth accused, Omair Khan, is on the run.
Of the three juveniles, one is the son of a leader of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) who is the chairman of a government-run minority institution, the second is the son of another TRS leader, and the third is the son of a corporator from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The state Home Minister Mahmood Ali has emphatically denied reports that his grandson was involved in the booking of the pub. Speaking to NDTV, he said he had CCTV footage of his grandson at home that evening.
The involvement of teens from politically influential families has drawn the nationwide condemnation of the assault and has raised questions about women's safety in what is among India's top cities.