Two sarpanches, ex-minister's PA accused of gang-rape

Phagwara, Aug 8 (UNI) A woman was allegedly raped by two sarpanches and a personal assistant of a former Punjab minister here last night.

The victim, who used to work as a helper during marriages, alleged in her statement to the police that the trio gang-raped her repeatedly the whole night at the marriage palace.

Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill directed the Sadar Police Station SHO Lakhwinder Singh Mall to inquire into the matter.

The victim, who was admitted in the local Civil Hospital for medical examination told UNI that last night at around 1000 hrs, the owner of a marriage palace on Nakodar Road, asked her to work as a helper at some domestic function.

''He took me to an adjoining room of his office where another sarpanch and a PA of the former minister were sitting,'' disclosed the victim.

''Her statement had been recorded and the report about her medical examination was still awaited as the doctor concerned could not be contacted,'' said the SHO.

Meanwhile, police registered a case under section 376 of the IPC against village Mannawali sarpanch Paramjit Singh, Basantpura sarpanch Rattan Singh, a partner in the marriage palace and Sodhi Ram, former PA to a former Punjab minister.

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