22 July,2017 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Santosh Wagh
The first victim succumbed earlier on, but no FIR was filed; police filed a rape case for second boy but have not added gang rape charge, even as his condition worsens
Over a week after two gang-raped boys attempted suicide, resulting in the death of one and critically injuring the other, the police are yet to make any arrests and have not even filed an FIR for the deceased victim. Meanwhile, the second boy has gone into a coma.
Although the police did file a case for the survivor, they have not added the gang-rape charge, despite the boy's parents stating that he was sodomised by three to four boys.
Earlier in the week, mid-day had reported how two boys from Powai, aged 10 and 13, drank poison after they were allegedly raped and threatened by the accused. While the 10-year-old succumbed to the poison, the 13-year-old's intestines were badly damaged by the toxin.
Also read: Mumbai Crime: Powai boy dead, friend critical after gang rape
Witness found
The Powai police have identified the prime witness who saw one of the accused leading the kids away from their home, towards the rapists. The witness is now in Uttar Pradesh, and a police team has been sent to bring him back.
As per the medical report of the survivor, injury marks were found in his private parts. In the case of the 10-year-old, no autopsy was performed. Doctors said he had died of dehydration. His father said that the boy never told him about the rape.
Also read: Mumbai Crime: Bite mark on rape survivor seals paedophile's fate
Two victims, one FIR
The police have formed a special team to nab the accused and then confirm from them whether the deceased boy was also raped. DCP (zone 10) Naveenchandra Reddy said, "We have identified an accused and are tracking him. Once he is caught, things will become clear. If the accused confirms that the deceased boy was raped, we will move court to ask that his body be exhumed for post-mortem."
As for the survivor, the cops are waiting to speak to him before adding the gang-rape charge. An officer said they have registered a case against unidentified accused under Sections 377 (unnatural sex), 342 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC, along with Sections 4, 8, 12 of the POCSO Act.
"As of now we cannot say whether it was rape or gang rape. We have not recorded the statement of the survivor and are relying on the mother's statement for now, as he has only shared his ordeal with his parents. We are waiting for his health to improve so we can take his statement," added Reddy.
