Ghaziabad gangrape: Auto was on high-security route

Over 40 policemen were on duty on 25-km stretch from Shipra Mall to Dasna, where woman was raped.

More than 40 police personnel were stationed at various points on the 25-km stretch between Shipra Mall in Ghaziabad and Dasna, the route taken by the stolen auto in which an abducted 19-year-old girl was taken to a field and gangraped on Wednesday night.

Sources confirmed that the entire stretch is considered high-security by the Ghaziabad police with several "sensitive establishments" on the route.

There were at least eight police pickets with four constables each and six PCR vans with two personnel each manning the stretch. In her complaint, the victim maintained that she attempted to attract attention and scream for help throughout the journey, and was held by two men sitting in the auto.

A senior police officer said: "National Highway 24, which connects the mall and Dasna is always a security priority because of traffic that enters and exits Delhi. Additionally, there is the CISF camp and Dasna prison, which high-security establishments. Therefore, there are at least 40 personnel on duty looking for suspicious activity. Why none of them spotted something amiss in the auto is a matter to be investigated."

Superintendent of Police (City) S S Yadav said, "We are aware that there have been lapses and are looking into it. Our first step is to bring all the guilty persons to book and the entire story come out only after that. The third accused, Vikram, is yet to be apprehended. However, we have increased patrolling outside malls and metro stations, especially at night, for the safety of women."

Two other accused, Ankit and Dabban, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody.

Police officers confirmed that while medical examination was inconclusive about rape, it confirmed that the woman was assaulted. "In some cases, even if the crime was committed, the medical test cannot confirm it. In those cases, we investigate the case based on the victim's complaint and other evidence. Circumstantial evidence is very strong in the case. Prima facie, it seems that the girl was assaulted, gagged, and raped. Further investigations are in progress," a senior officer said.

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