Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 1 (HBTV): In connection with the horrific gangrape incident in Varanasi, nine accused were sent to judicial custody by the District and Sessions Court. The police had found the victim in an unconscious state on April 4.

According to the lawyer of one of the accused, a total of 23 individuals have been named in the case.

Vidush Saxena, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cantt), Varanasi, said, ‘Nine arrested accused have been remanded. The rest of the accused will be arrested soon.’

The victim’s father recounted the ordeal his daughter endured. He said, ‘My daughter left home to visit her friend. All these incidents happened soon after. She left home on March 29 and visited the ghat with her friend, spending a day there. She came in contact with some boys, and 3–4 days passed. We were all worried. Fearing judgement, we tried finding her ourselves but in vain. We approached the police on April 3. She was found by the police on April 4 in a bad state. After receiving treatment, when she became normal, she narrated the whole incident.’

According to the police, the girl was lured away and raped over several days. The victim alleged that she was raped by 23 individuals over a span of seven days. Investigations are ongoing, and the police are still searching for the remaining accused.

‘She was intoxicated multiple times by several people and gang-raped. The involvement of so many men indicates that it was a planned attempt. My daughter was studying Commerce in her inter and was planning to pursue sports. She is 19 years old. I do not know or recognise any of the accused. Yogi Adityanath is known for tactfully handling such cases. I urge him to give us justice. I do not demand the accused be hanged, but the punishment should be so severe that people think twice before committing rape,’ the victim’s father added.

Alok Saurabh, lawyer for one of the accused, said, ‘The accused were brought to court—there were a total of nine. All were sent to judicial custody. A total of 23 people have been accused, including 11 who are currently unidentified.’

Earlier on Monday, DCP of Varuna Zone Commissionerate Varanasi said, ‘In Varanasi, a case of rape has been registered under relevant sections at the Lalpur Pandeypur police station. So far, six accused have been taken into police custody, with further legal action being carried out.’

(ANI)