Surendranagar: Nine people, including two women, have been arrested in Surendranagar district after a woman was allegedly confined and sexually assaulted during what the accused described as a “purification ritual”, police said.
The case came to light after videos of the alleged incident surfaced and information about them reached the police. Officers subsequently traced the woman, rescued her and recorded her statement, according to police.
Police said the woman had separated from her husband and was living with another man in Chotila. After learning about the relationship, her husband allegedly contacted relatives. The woman and the man were subsequently traced and taken to a house in Surendranagar on October 4.
According to the complaint, the couple were allegedly assaulted after being brought to the house. The woman was reportedly confined, while the man was allegedly restrained outside. Police said the accused claimed that a purification ritual would be carried out.
The woman was allegedly subjected to sexual assault during the incident. Police also said the alleged assault was recorded on mobile phones and that videos were subsequently circulated.
Surendranagar Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu said police began searching for the woman after receiving information about the incident. She was eventually located and taken to safety, following which her statement was recorded.
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the case, including the woman’s husband and two women. Police are investigating the specific roles of each accused and examining the recording and circulation of the videos.
An FIR has been registered at the Surendranagar City A Division police station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The sections cited in reports include BNS Sections 70(1), 115(2), 127(3), 142 and 3(5), along with Sections 66E and 67A of the IT Act.
Police said the investigation is continuing and further action will be taken based on the evidence collected.
The allegations are part of an ongoing criminal investigation, and the accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted by a court.
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