AHMEDABAD: A shocking case of extreme cruelty has surfaced in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, where a woman was allegedly beaten, tied to a tree and subjected to rape under the pretext of a “purification ritual” by husband. A video of the assault was later circulated on social media, prompting swift police action and the detention of nine people, including two women.
Police sources said the married woman had left her husband and begun living with another man. Her decision allegedly angered her husband and his family members, who subsequently confined her illegally at their residence. However, when she managed to escape, the accused allegedly tracked her down and captured both the woman and the man accompanying her.
The accused then allegedly brought the couple to Gujarat’s Surendranagar on the pretext of conducting a “purification ritual”. What followed, however, was a brutal assault. The woman was allegedly beaten with wooden sticks and kicked before being tied to a tree.
In an especially disturbing turn, the accused allegedly forced the man accompanying the woman to rape her. The entire incident was reportedly recorded on video and camera. The footage was subsequently circulated on social media, bringing the crime to the attention of the police and local community members.
Surendranagar Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu confirmed that police acted promptly after receiving information from community members about the incident and the circulation of the video.
Following the footage, police teams launched an extensive search operation to trace the victim and identify those involved. Under the supervision of ASP Vedika Bihani, investigators followed information provided by local social leaders and eventually located the woman.
Police subsequently registered a case under Sections 70(1), 115(2), 127(3), 142 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66(E) and 67(A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Investigators said the two women allegedly assisted the other accused in carrying out the crime and were involved in the sequence of events.
ASP Bihani and her team have questioned the survivor and begun further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, all nine arrested accused are being subjected to detailed interrogation as investigators work to establish the precise role played by each person.
Police are also examining the criminal backgrounds of the accused and investigating the circumstances surrounding the recording and circulation of the video. Further investigation is underway.
