One of the men accused in a gang-rape of a 17-year old girl in Sivaganga district was arrested with the help of Peelamedu police on Wednesday.
Balaji, who was allegedly involved in the rape of the girl, was picked up by Devakottai cops assisted by Kovai police from a wine shop where he was working.
The girl, a nurse at a private hospital in Devakottai was in a relationship with one Saranraj. The two were reportedly harassed by a group of men when they were on a visit to a local school. Saranjraj, fearing for their safety called his friend Boopalan, who then called his friends Alagesan and Balaji and chased away the group that was harassing Saranraj and the girl. After rescuing the couple, Balaji and his cohorts are said to have approached the girl and demanded sexual favours. When she refused, Balaji, along with Alagesan and Boopalan allegedly kidnapped and raped the girl.
After the incident, the girl told her lover, Saranraj, about the incident, who then threatened to kill her if she went to the police. However, despite Saranraj’s threats, she lodged a complaint the Devakottai police against all the four. Boopalan and Saranraj were held on Saturday.
Both Alagesan and Balaji, fearing arrest, went into hiding. Devakottai police, after getting a tip-off that Balaji was hiding in Kovai, approached the Peelamedu police and apprehended Balaji on Wednesday.