Bangalore:
A woman aged about 20 years was allegedly gang-raped by 11 miscreants, who thrashed her male friend before forcibly taking her to a cemetery, where they raped her. However, fearing social stigma the woman's family has decided against pressing rape allegations.
The incident took place at Shanthinagar Cemetery on Berlin Street in Ashokanagar on Sunday night.
According to police sources, on Sunday, the woman, who is a resident of Halasur, had gone to a church in Wilson Garden along with a friend. While returning near Berlin Street, the duo was waylaid by an 11-member gang. The gang allegedly assaulted the man and dragged the woman to a cemetery that is close by, and reportedly raped her. Before fleeing, the miscreants allegedly robbed the duo of their vehicle, two mobile phones and a guitar.
"The woman later filed a dacoity case with the police. However, she did not file rape case against the accused fearing social stigma. She is undergoing treatment at a private hospital," sources said. Police have taken up the investigations and have already detained eight men in connection with the incident. They are on the lookout for other accused who are absconding.
It is suspected that one, Anthony Raj, is the main accused in the case and all the accused are residents of Vinayakanagar Slum and Rajanna Garden. During the investigation, the police also traced the robbed scooter in Vinayakanagar slum and it has been recovered.
However, senior police officers denied the rape incident and maintained that it was just a case of dacoity. Ashokanagar police have registered a case under section 395 (dacoity) of the Indian Penal Code and are further investigating.