Three of the six accused involved in the horrific assault on two junior Indian Army officers and their woman friend near Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, have been arrested. The incident, which took place near Jam Gate, a popular tourist spot about 30 km from the Mhow military cantonment, has sparked widespread outrage.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
Anil Baror (27), Pawan Bansunia (23), and Ritesh Bhabhar (25) were apprehended by the police. Baror and Bansunia have been remanded to five days in police custody, while Bhabhar was arrested Thursday night for threatening the victims with a pistol during the attack. The other accused carried sticks, according to the police.
Superintendent of Police (Rural), Hitika Vasal, revealed that a ₹10,000 reward has been announced for information leading to the arrest of the three absconding accused. The police are conducting extensive searches to locate them.
What Happened
The two junior officers, both in their early 20s, were undergoing training at the Infantry School in Mhow and had gone for a picnic with two female friends. The accused allegedly attacked one of the officers and a woman who were seated in a car, while the others were on a nearby hilltop. Upon hearing the commotion, the second officer and his woman friend rushed to the scene.
The victims were later taken to Mhow Civil Hospital for treatment. Medical reports confirmed that one of the women had sustained injuries, though the official confirmation of rape is still pending.
Medical Examination and Police Investigation
One of the women is suspected to have been sexually assaulted, leading the police to file charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including gang rape and dacoity. However, the woman has not yet recorded her statement, and the police are proceeding cautiously, waiting for her to recover from the trauma before she provides her account.
The police highlighted the victims’ mental state, with one woman repeatedly expressing her anguish, saying, “shoot the accused or shoot me.” Authorities have assured that all the accused will be arrested soon.
Criminal History of the Accused
The three arrested individuals have prior criminal records:
- Anil Baror: Involved in multiple incidents, including a robbery in 2016, assaulting police officers in 2021, and vandalism of forest property in July 2024.
- Pawan Bansunia: Arrested in 2021 for possession of illegal liquor under the Excise Act.
Political Reactions
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi attacking the BJP government over what they termed the deteriorating law and order situation in states ruled by the saffron party.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are under pressure to bring the remaining accused to justice.
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