Champawat gang rape case: Minor’s father files FIR against 3 incl daughter’s friend for implicating her in conspiracy

Pithoragarh: A fresh FIR alleging conspiracy in a minor’s gang rape case was registered on Tuesday at Champawat police station against three persons -- Kamal Rawat, his friends Arjita Rai and Anand Singh Mahera.

According to police, the case stems from an FIR lodged on May 6 by the father of a 16-year-old girl, who alleged that Vinod Rawat, Naveen Rawat and Puran Rawat gang-raped his daughter and threatened to kill her after she attended a friend’s wedding function. Police later recovered the girl from a deserted house.

However, during the investigation, police said the girl’s statement did not match the manual and technical evidence collected in the case. During further questioning, the girl allegedly told investigators that Kamal and his friend Arjita had lured her with promises of help for her ailing father’s treatment and conspired in the alleged gang rape on the night of May 5.

Police said a video was later circulated showing the girl without clothes, with her hands and legs tied. Following this, on May 8, Ram Singh, Vinod’s father, lodged an FIR against Kamal, Arjita and Anand alleging conspiracy, criminal intimidation, offences under the IT Act and provisions of the Pocso Act, Champawat SP Rekha Yadav said.

On Tuesday, another FIR was registered against the same three accused. The case was filed under relevant BNS sections, along with sections 11 and 12 of the Pocso Act, the SP said.

Police arrested Kamal and Arjita on May 8 and are searching for Anand, while further evidence is being collected against him, police added.