Hyderabad: The recent alleged abduction and rape of a 19-year-old pharmacy student on the outskirts of Hyderabad has turned to be a hoax, the police confirmed on Saturday. The alleged victim in the case, a girl, was traced within two hours near Annojiguda service road after a thorough investigation. Police, after gathering all the technical evidence in the incident, has concluded that the student's claim of being kidnapped and raped was false.
On 10 February, the Keesara Police had received a distress call about the kidnapping of a Pharma College Student by an Auto Driver. Police immediately swung into action and rushed to the spot. After meeting with the parents of the victim woman, the police was informed that the victim had boarded an auto-rickshaw at the Rampally X Road, but instead of dropping her off at her stop at RL Nagar, the auto-driver had kept driving. Later the victim's phone was also not reachable.
After collecting primary information regarding the victim, all police stations within the limits of Rachakonda were alerted and a search was launched. The victim was finally traced to an isolated place near Annojiguda service road in a semi-conscious and semi-undressed state. She was shifted to nearby Cure Hospital for medical care. Victim's mother with the help of some neighbours had informed the police about the alleged kidnapping and later lodged a complaint.
However, further investigation into the incident by the police revealed that the woman's version was false and that no rape and assault happened. Several special teams were formed to investigate the case and arrest the auto-drivers who according to the woman had raped her. Finally, with the help of Auto Unions, the suspects were taken into custody. Police also collected footages from around 100 CCTV cameras along the Rampally X Road and the Annojiguda Service Road.
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Looking through the collected evidence, however, the police observed various discrepancies in the victim's statement. Pressed on the matter, the woman confessed to the police that she removed her clothes and also created a scene of having been kidnapped when the police traced her. According to her statement, she wanted to leave her house due to some family issues and on the day of the alleged kidnapping had got off from the auto at the next stop rather than her regular stop. But later due to the police's involvement she panicked and weaved a story as a cover-up.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Mahesh Bhagwat, in a press conference, said no rape or kidnapping occurred. He personally thanked and appreciated private hospitals and Auto unions for their immense cooperation with the police in helping to reach the truth
The police also showed the footage to reporters that was obtained from different CCTV cameras. The footage showed the woman walking on the roads at the time of the assault as claimed by her.
With input from agencies
