Jharkhand Police on Tuesday arrested five more accused who were on the run in the case of gang rape and assault with a Spanish woman who was on a bike tour across India with her husband.
As per the official, so far, a total of eight accused have been arrested. According to sources, the accused are between 19 and 24 years of age.
“Three suspects involved in the incident were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on March 2, 2024. Five other suspects implicated in the case were apprehended today, on March 5, 2024,” the police said in a statement, ANI reported.
On Tuesday, the Jharkhand administration gave Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the couple.
Also Read: ‘Don’t talk nonsense’: Spanish travel vlogger, who was raped in Jharkhand, defends India
Meanwhile, the Spanish Embassy in India thanked the authorities for their support.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Spanish Embassy posted, “Thank you all for your support. We need to stand united in our commitment to end violence against women everywhere in the world.”
Three people were detained on March 2 after a Spanish woman who was on a bike tour of the country along with her husband complained that she was allegedly gang-raped in the Hansdiha police station area on Friday night (March 1), police said. The accused also allegedly robbed the couple of Rs 10,000, a watch and rings.
The National Commission for Women condemned the gang rape in Dumka, Jharkhand, and said that a letter has been sent to the officials to expedite the investigation into this matter.
“NCW condemns the brutal gang-rape of a Spanish tourist in Dumka, Jharkhand. NCW has been informed that the accused fled from the spot. As per reports, there were 8-10 men involved. The police have just arrested 3 accused persons in the matter. A letter has been sent to the DGP from NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma to expedite the investigation in this matter and invoke charges of rape under IPC 376D,” the Commission posted on X.
“Seeing the gravity of the situation, Mamta Kumari, a member of NCW, will be going to inquire about the facts of the case and meet the victim and concerned police” they added.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dumka, Pitamber Singh Kherwar, informed that the police are taking the necessary actions, including the medical examination of the survivor.
Also Read: J’khand HC seeks report from DGP, chief secretary over foreign tourist’s gang-rape
‘People of India treated me well’
Before departing for Nepal from India’s Bihar, the 28-year-old Spanish woman expressed confidence in the people of India, saying that she has no complaints against the nation. The survivor, who has been travelling around the world for over six years, talked to the media before leaving for Nepal on her motorcycle.
“People of India are nice. I don’t blame the people, but I blame the criminals. People of India have treated me very well and were very kind to me,” she said.