Minor gang-raped in city, 5 arrested

MUMBAI: A 13-year- old Class 7 student was allegedly gangraped by four men from her neighbourhood in Santacruz ( East) on Thursday evening, police said.

The Vakola police on Friday arrested Bipin Singh, Sachin Yadav, Venkateysh Naidu and Mellwyn D’souza, all between 20 and 25 years, and a 16-yearold friend of the victim, who allegedly took her to one of the accused’s house for a party.

The accused and the victim are residents of Gamdevi.

Around 6.30pm on Thursday, the victim was playing outside her house when the 16-year-old girl approached her and asked her to accompany her to D’souza’s home for his birthday party.

Singh, Yadav and Naidu were already present at the house. “They gave the 13-year- old a drink, after which she fell unconscious. The accused then allegedly took turns to rape her,” said Jeetendra Pawar, inspector, Vakola police station, adding that the other girl was present in the house at the time and dropped the victim home around 9.30pm.

Once home, the victim started to complain of dizziness and passed out. Her mother immediately took her to VN Desai hospital, where the doctors found that she was bleeding from her privates, indicating sexual assault.

“The hospital informed us, following which the victim’s statement was recorded and a case was registered against the accused,” said Santosh Rasam, sub-inspector, Vakola police station.