3 held for gang-rape of minor orchestra dancer in Bhojpur

Ara: Police on Monday arrested three men—including an orchestra operator, a DJ operator and a driver—for allegedly gang-raping a 15-year-old orchestra dancer at a village in Bhojpur district on Saturday night. The arrests were made after the victim’s family lodged an FIR on Sunday.According to police, the minor, along with five to six female stage performers from a town in Uttar Pradesh, had gone to a village in Ara for a stage show on Saturday night. After the event concluded, the orchestra operator and his two accomplices allegedly took the girl on a motorcycle to an isolated spot and gang-raped her. She later managed to inform fellow performers and her family, who reported the matter to the police.A police offficer said, “As soon as the police were informed on Sunday morning, an FIR was registered and the victim’s statement was recorded. The police conducted raids and arrested all three accused. Further investigation is underway. The arrested men have been identified as Lakshman Yadav, an orchestra operator; Jeetendra Yadav, a DJ operator, and Ashok Yadav, the driver.