Police arrests 8 students for raping minor, authorities consider pressing NSA

Jhansi police arrested eight students of a government polytechnic institute for allegedly raping a fellow college mate inside a hostel facility. All the accused were arrested on Monday night and booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said the officer investigating the case.

Jhansi: Police on Monday recorded the arrest of eight students of a government polytechnic institute for allegedly blackmailing and raping a minor college mate. The district administration said it may invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against the accused.

Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dinesh Kumar P said a girl was allegedly raped by one of the accused while others stood outside even as an examination was underway on the campus.

"Since the crime spot -- the hostel -- was a bit away from the college building, nobody noticed it," the SSP said, adding the girl filed a complaint against them.

All the accused were arrested by Monday night and booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the SSP said.

He also said it is a matter of probe as to how the students reached the hostel despite it being closed.

He said the case will be taken to a fast-track court so that justice is served expeditiously and the accused given a harsh punishment.

During the probe, it was found that all the accused persons are students of the government polytechnic college. They also extorted Rs 3,000 from the girl by blackmailing her," the SSP said.

District Magistrate A Vamsi Tuesday said orders were issued to rusticate the culprits from the college.

The district administration is mulling to invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA). At the time of the incident, an examination was underway at the Government Polytechnic and despite this, the accused indulged in the act. Hence, a strong message should go to society," he said.

Under the NSA, an individual can be taken into preventive detention without a charge for up to 12 months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed at the local level to help the policemen from Sipri Bazar police station to investigate the case, SSP Dinesh Kumar P said.

A joint team of the Circle officer (city) and city magistrate are currently investigating the case.

He added that counselling was offered to avoid mental stress in the victim.

(PTI)