Police say probe shows the woman, her husband and the main accused were constantly in touch during the four days she was believed to be missing.
Chandigarh: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged gang rape of a 22-year-old woman by more than 40 men over four days has arrested her husband for reportedly trafficking women for sex, including his wife.
The woman’s ordeal made national headlines after it emerged last week that she was allegedly lured to a purported guest house near Morni Hills in Panchkula on the promise of a job, drugged, and locked in a room where 10-12 men came every day to rape her. According to a police officer, a medical examination has confirmed rape.
It was reported at the time that the prime suspect — a man named Sunil alias Sunny who ran the guest house — let the woman go after her husband threatened to approach the police when he allegedly couldn’t get in touch her for four days, from 15 July to 18 July. It was through the husband that Sunny had reportedly made the job offer.
Panchkula deputy commissioner of police Rajender Meena said Wednesday that investigations suggested the woman, her husband and the main accused were “in constant and regular” touch during the four days she was allegedly held captive.
“There are several other angles to this crime. Besides, the background of the victim’s husband has been found to be suspicious,” said Meena.
Even so, allegations that woman was raped continue to be investigated, including the possibility that her husband sent her to clients against her wishes.
Sources said that, much “like a host of other guest houses in the area”, Sunny’s doubled as a brothel. The husband allegedly knew what was going on in the Panchkula guest house and pushed his wife into flesh trade. According to sources, the husband got in touch with police to “fix” Sunny after a quarrel over money.
The husband has been remanded in police custody for three days. His capture takes the number of arrests in the case to 11, including Sunny.
Sunny, sources said, had been running a sex racket for over five years, including earlier operations in Zirakpur (Punjab) and Ambala (Haryana). Some of those arrested have reportedly told police that they were among Sunny’s “regular clients”. Sunil, they reportedly said, sent them pictures of women to choose from, and they paid Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for sex with the one they picked.
The case is being investigated by Panchkula police, who came under fire last week after a special women’s station reportedly turned away the victim and her husband when they sought to file a complaint, asking them to approach Chandigarh police. There are allegations that the woman was also called a prostitute at the station.
The couple then filed a complaint with Chandigarh police. After the news of police apathy, Haryana police suspended an assistant sub-inspector of the Panchkula women’s station. Two heads of police posts in the vicinity of the guest house were suspended as well for ignoring directives to keep an eye on operations at local commercial accommodation facilities.
On Tuesday, the assistant commissioner of police, women, and the SHO of the women’s police station were transferred as well.
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