Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 10 (HBTV): The Madhya Pradesh police has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against five persons accused in the gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl in Shahdol district, an official said on Friday.   

The crime occurred under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station on Monday evening, May 6, when the alleged victim and her friend were returning from coaching classes. The accused persons allegedly stopped them, held the victim's friend hostage, and violated the minor. The police arrested the accused persons accused on Wednesday, May 8. 

According to the police, the accused have been identified as one Aishwarya Gupta (36), a Kailash Panika (29) one Mohamad Afzal Ansari (28), a Sahil Qureshi (22) and one Mohammad Sameem (18).

Shahdol’s Collector, Tarun Bhatnagar told ANI that the crime that occurred on May 6 in the district was extremely inhumane. The district superintendent of police proposed action to be taken under the NSA after which, the matter was heard and NSA has been imposed against all five accused, the official said.

The five have been sent to jail, the collector added. 

Earlier, Additional Director General of Police Dinesh Chandra Sagar told ANI that the incident occurred on Monday evening, May 6. The minor was coming from a coaching class with her friend and they were intercepted by five people, the official said. The accused took them towards a forest area, made the victim's friend hostage and violated the girl, Sagar said.  

The victim lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station and an immediate FIR was registered into the matter. A special investigation team was constituted and began a search to nab the accused persons, Sagar said. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.