India: Teen Girl gang-raped by two men in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: A 19-year-old woman from Mumbai, who came to the city to work as a hostess at catering events, was allegedly gang-raped on Sunday night by two men after she had passed out. The accused are Sahil Shaikh, the catering contractor, and his friend Taskeen Qureshi. The crime is said to have occurred in the presence of Shaikh’s girlfriend, Tanya Danawala. There were six other women, all catering workers, in the 1BHK flat in Narol, when the alleged offense occurred.

Narol police on Monday filed an FIR for gang rape against Shaikh and Qureshi; residents of Juhapura, and against Danawala, a resident of Surat, for abetting the crime. All the accused are about 25 years old. According to PSI Raju Amaliyar, the investigating officer of the case; “The victim had come to the city on Saturday along with six other women, and was put up by the contractor at a flat in Akruti Township in Narol.” Amaliyar added: “At about 10.30 pm on Sunday; Shaikh, Danawala, Qureshi, and the victim were drinking alcohol in the bedroom of the flat; while the six other women were in the hall.” Amaliyar said that the four then came out and the victim, having drunk too much, passed out on a sofa in the hall.

“At about 11.30 pm, Shaikh and Qureshi carried her into the bedroom. Shaikh raped her and emerged in about ten minutes,” Amaliyar said. “Danawala then went into the bedroom and she and Qureshi emerged after a while; arguing about something.” Amaliyar went on to say: “At about midnight; when the victim came around, as she was experiencing pain and was bleeding from her private parts; she realized she had been raped.” The other catering workers in the flat then found out what had happened and there was an uproar; causing other residents of the building to gather.

According to Narol police inspector S A Gohil, the victim and the other women then went to Narol police station at about 3.30 am on Monday; accompanied by other residents of the building to file a complaint. Gohil said they then took Qureshi and Danawala into custody while Shaikh had escaped in the commotion. On why the others present in the flat were not charged; Gohil said, “Certain parts of the statement; such as Danawala latching the bedroom door and being inside the bedroom when the offense occurred have attracted the charge of abetment.” Gohil added: “As far as the other women are concerned, their statements have been recorded and they have left for their native places. The victim was taken to LG Hospital for a medical examination