The police have arrested a son-in-law of the Hubli gang-rape victim after he reportedly admitted to his involvement in the crime during interrogation.
The police said Rajshekhar Devar is the husband of the second daughter of the 46-year-old victim, a Railway employee. He has so far not divulged any information about the involvement of others in the crime, according to the police.
The victim, in her statements before the Police Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad on Friday, said a group of about five persons barged into her house on Thursday night and drugged and gagged her.
However, as Rajshekhar has not taken any other names, the police have decided to seek his custody for further interrogation.
Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner B.A. Padmanayan told The Hindu that Rajshekhar had so far maintained that he was the only one involved in the crime.
“We have seized a gold chain, which belongs to the victim, from his possession. We have also collected his clothes for tests,” Mr. Padmanayan said.
To seek custody
“In spite of his admission, we will continue our investigation. Rajshekhar will be subjected to further interrogation as his version is different from that of the victim’s. The victim has repeatedly told us that about five persons, who wore masks, drugged and gagged her. However, the accused has not changed his version. We will seek his custody for further interrogation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rajshekhar’s wife told presspersons here that she did not rule out the involvement of her husband in the crime. She wanted others involved in the crime to be arrested soon.
The district administration has arranged for counselling for the victim, who is recuperating in the Railway Hospital in Hubli.
