Police authorities in Jharkhand's Palamu district have apprehended three e-rickshaw drivers in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl. The accused individuals, who operate commercial toto vehicles in the region, were identified as residents of Bhamda village. Superintendent of Police Kapil Choudhary disclosed the details of the crime during a press briefing, confirming that all three suspects have been taken into custody following an intensive preliminary investigation.
The Background Behind the Minor's Journey
According to the facts presented by the police, the minor girl was involved in a relationship with a local youth from the Untari Road area. The victim's maternal aunt also resides in Untari village. The girl had recently learned that preparations were underway for the youth's marriage elsewhere, following which he had sharply curtailed communication with her. Distressed by this development and seeking to confront him directly, she booked an auto driven by Mukesh Dixit to travel to her aunt's house in Untari Road.
The Escape, Relatives' Refusal, and Stranded Vehicle
The situation developed rapidly upon her arrival in the village. As soon as the youth received word that the girl was in the locality to meet him, he abandoned his residence and fled. Simultaneously, the girl's maternal aunt refused to let her remain at the residence and asked her to leave. Having no other choice, the minor boarded the same hired vehicle to embark on her return journey. However, during the commute, the battery of the auto completely drained, leaving them stranded mid-route.
The Assault and Arrest of the Accused
To continue the transit, the driver arranged another e-rickshaw operated by an acquaintance named Abhay Dixit. Both the original driver Mukesh Dixit and an associate named Subodh Dixit boarded this replacement vehicle alongside the girl. According to the Superintendent of Police, two of the drivers subjected the minor to gang rape during the commute, while the third driver remained present at the crime scene throughout the act. Following the assault, the victim managed to return to her home. Police identified the three arrested men as 20-year-old Abhay Dixit, 26-year-old Mukesh Dixit, and 38-year-old Subodh Dixit, all hailing from Bhamda village.
Investigation and Breakthrough Through Missing Report
The grave offence came to light under unexpected circumstances when relatives of the runaway youth approached the local police station to report him missing. The inquiry revealed that the youth is also a minor. While following leads to trace the boy's whereabouts, investigating officers reached out to the victim. During questioning, the minor girl disclosed the complete sequence of events and reported the sexual assault she had endured. Acting on her statement, the police rounded up the three accused men and successfully located the missing minor boy.
