PIONEER NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun/Champawat
Two days after a gang rape case involving a minor in Champawat sparked anger across the State, Uttarakhand police said on Thursday that no such rape had occurred and the minor had concocted it as part of a conspiracy hatched by one named Kamal Rawat.
Notably, police had registered a case on May 6 on the basis of a complaint filed by the survivor’s father. He had written in the complaint that his 16-year-old daughter had been raped by three men. Given the seriousness of the case, a 10-member SIT had been formed under the supervision of the circle officer. The superintendent of police (SP) Champawat, Rekha Yadav had personally met the girl, visited the spot and collected information from local people. The police had also called the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) team for scientific examination. The girl had been sent for medical check-up, counselling and her statement recorded in court.
During investigation, police found that the girl had gone with her friend to a wedding function in village Salli. “The CCTV footage and call records confirmed her movements. The medical report did not show any injury or signs of force. Witness statements also did not match with technical evidence,” a police officer familiar with the case details said.
Police further said that they had found frequent contact between the girl and Kamal on the day of the incident. The three accused named in the FIR – Vinod Singh Rawat, Naveen Singh Rawat and Pooran Singh Rawat – were not present at the scene, police claimed.
According to police, Kamal hatched a conspiracy to take revenge against the three accused. “He allegedly influenced the minor girl into implicating the three men in the fabricated gang rape case,” a police officer said, adding that digital and forensic examination is still going on.
SP Yadav said that the investigation is being carried on fairly and scientifically. She stressed that no innocent person would be harassed and strict legal action would be taken against anyone giving false information.
