Alwar gangrape: All 6 accused arrested, BJP holds protests

Jaipur, May 9 (IANS) The prime accused in the Alwar gangrape case was picked up from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura on Thursday and one more accused later in the day even as BJP held protests accusing the government of "deliberately suppressing" the case in view of the Lok Sabha elections.

Hours after fourth accused Mahesh was arrested from Shahpura late on Wednesday, the prime accused Hansraj was arrested from Mathura on Thursday morning, police said. The remaining accused Chhotelal was apprehended later in the day.

Ashok Gujjar, Inderaj Gujjar and Mukesh were arrested earlier.

According to the FIR filed by the victim, the incident took place on April 26 when five accused allegedly waylaid her and her husband, took them to an isolated place and gangraped her in front of her husband. The accused also recorded the crime and uploaded the video on social media, which went viral.

Director General of Police Kapil Garg said that the charge sheet will be presented in the court at the earliest and all efforts made for the most harsh punishment to the criminals. Five of the six were held for the crime while the sixth has been arrested for making the video viral, he added.

"This was a heinous crime which is unacceptable in society. I had no pressure in this case but was stressed that such a crime has been reported here," he said.

The crime sparked off controversy after the victim's husband on Wednesday accused police of delaying action, allegedly in wake of the second round of Lok Sabha elections in the state on May 6.

Soon after his allegations came out, there were protests with people from all sections demanding justice for the couple and accusing the state government of intentionally delaying action in the case for political gain.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had staged a march to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence on Wednesday but were stopped on the way by police.

On Thursday, the BJP held a protest at the collectorate with Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and BJP state President Madan Lal Saini also present.

Rathore demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into police "inaction" in the case, while Saini said that BJP had held similar protests all across the state.

BJP's Rajya Sabha member Kirorilal Meena, who reached Alwar on Thursday, appealed to the authorities to take strict action against Superintendent of Police Rajeev Pachar and SHO Sardar Singh under The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, for intentionally keeping the case on hold and depriving the Dalit victim and her husband of justice.

He said suspending the inspector, disciplinary action against other personnel of the Thanagaazi police station and departmental action against the SP was not enough and they should be sent behind bars.