Two Men Arrested for Alleged Rape and Illegal Confinement in Surat
In a disturbing incident in Surat, two individuals have been apprehended by the police for allegedly raping a woman and holding her against her will. The accused, identified as Aman Verma, aged 21, and Tauhidul Shaikh, also known as 'Rohit', in his late 20s, were produced before the Surat district court on Wednesday. The court has remanded them to police custody for a period of two days to facilitate further investigation into the serious allegations.
Details of the Alleged Crime
According to the police complaint, the victim, a woman in her 20s who hails from Rajasthan, initially connected with Aman Verma through social media in December of the previous year. Aman, who works as a waiter at a hotel in Surat, engaged in regular chats and video calls with her. He reportedly invited her to visit Surat to celebrate his birthday in January, which she agreed to do.
Upon her arrival in Surat, she was picked up by Aman and his friend Tauhidul Shaikh, who introduced himself as 'Rohit'. The duo took her to a hotel, where it is alleged that Aman offered her a spiked soft drink. After she lost consciousness, he is accused of raping her. The following day, she was taken to the residence of the other accused, where both men allegedly raped her again.
Escape and Legal Proceedings
The victim managed to escape from the house a few days later and returned to her hometown in Rajasthan. There, she filed a formal complaint of rape against Aman and 'Rohit' at her local police station. Since the alleged crimes occurred in Surat, the case was transferred to the jurisdictional police station in Surat city for further action.
A senior police officer provided additional details, stating, "The accused had illegally confined her to the house, where she was raped and threatened. We have asked her to visit the police station here so that we can get more information. Medical examination of both the accused has been conducted as part of the investigation."
Charges and Background of the Accused
Both Aman Verma and Tauhidul Shaikh have been formally charged under multiple sections of the law, including rape, illegal detention, and issuing life threats. It is noteworthy that one of the accused falsely claimed to belong to a particular community during his interactions with the victim, as revealed by the police. Aman Verma originates from Uttar Pradesh, while Tauhidul Shaikh is from West Bengal, highlighting the interstate nature of this case.
The Surat police are actively pursuing the investigation, emphasizing the importance of gathering all necessary evidence and statements to ensure justice is served. The case underscores ongoing concerns about women's safety and the need for vigilance in online interactions, particularly through social media platforms.
