Main accused in Japanese tourist rape surrenders

Jaipur, Feb 13: The main accused in the Japanese tourist rape case surrendered before police and was subsequently arrested on Friday, a little over a month after the incident took place in a suburb of this city.

Twenty-five year old Ajit Singh Choudhary, who was absconding since January 9, surrendered at Dudu police station around 1000 hours, IG (Jaipur Range) D C Jain told reporters here.

Immediately, he was arrested in the case registered with the police station, the IGP said, adding a charge sheet will be filed within seven days for fast trial.

The 20-year-old girl was allegedly raped by Ajit at a deserted place near Dudu on January 8 night. The tourist had come to the city a week before the incident and was visiting Jal Mahal when a youth, aged about 25 years, lured her on the pretext of taking her to sight-seeing, the official said.

The accused took the victim to a few tourist places during the day on his motorcycle and late night he raped her at a deserted place near Mojamabad village in Dudu police area, the IG said.

Ajit then absconded and was in Vijaywada before returning here, Jain said. Rajasthan Police had announced a cash reward of Rs one lakh for any information about the main accused.

On February 10, seven persons were first detained in connection with the case, and the next day they were remanded in police custody by a local court. Vahid, Abrar, Shivraj, Rajveer, Ramveer, Ravindra and Dharamveer are in police remand and being grilled by police.

The seven accused were identified by the victim, police said, adding that a case under relevant sections of IPC has been registered against them and Ajit.

Ajit's bike has been recovered, police said, adding that he had taken away Rs 4000, a mobile phone and a camera belonging to the victim. The medical examination of the victim has been done and her statement recorded in the court, they said.

PTI