Police Investigate Alleged Rape of Woman and Assault of Male Friend Near Pune City

A 21-year-old woman was reportedly raped by three unknown individuals near Pune, police reported on Friday. The attackers also restrained her male companion using his own clothes and belt, then assaulted him. The suspects, armed with machetes and bamboo sticks, stole the woman's jewellery before committing the crime. They threatened the pair with severe consequences if they disclosed the incident.

The attack occurred in Bopdev Ghat around 10:45 pm on Thursday. Police released sketches of two suspects to help locate them, urging public assistance. The woman and her friend had visited the area when the assault happened, according to Ranjan Kumar Sharma, additional commissioner of police. The woman's friend was tied up before she was raped.

Police Investigation and Public Appeal

The police learned about the incident at approximately 5 am on Friday when the victims sought help at Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. Another officer mentioned that when the woman resisted, the attackers threatened to kill her friend. Ten police teams have been formed to track down the culprits.

After freeing her friend, the woman returned home where she lived with her sister. They initially went to a private hospital in Kothrud but were advised to visit Sassoon Hospital. Despite being traumatised, she provided a statement to the police while recovering in the hospital.

Efforts to Trace Suspects

The crime scene is usually visited by couples during the day. Police sent a forensic team and a dog squad to gather evidence. Sketches of two suspects were created based on descriptions from the woman's friend. Police shared three phone numbers for citizens to report any information related to the case.

NCP SP leader Supriya Sule criticised Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for failing to ensure women's safety in Maharashtra, demanding his resignation. She described the gang-rape as horrible and claimed that crimes against women have increased under the current government.

Sule stated that while Maharashtra's police force is competent, leadership issues are causing problems. She referenced incidents like a Porsche crash in Pune and an abuse case in Thane district's Badlapur town as examples of leadership failure. Sule called for Fadnavis's resignation due to inadequate action on women's safety issues.

The investigation continues as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime.