Dehradun: Four men have been arrested in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani for allegedly gang-raping a 16-year-old girl at a hotel in the Mukhani area. One of the accused, Dheeraj Bisht, had contested the students’ union presidential election at MBPG College as a candidate of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
The alleged assault took place on the night of November 12. According to the complaint filed by the girl’s family, the four men threatened and lured her to the hotel, where they allegedly sexually assaulted her. The family approached the Mukhani police station after learning about the incident.
The other accused have been identified as Nitin Pal, Ansh Khatri and Himanshu Goni. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other laws. All four were arrested within hours of the complaint being filed, police said.
The investigation has also brought the hotel management under scrutiny. Police said the premises allegedly provided a room without verifying the occupants’ identity documents. Investigators examined CCTV footage and the hotel has since been sealed. Action is being initiated against its management.
Following Bisht’s arrest, ABVP condemned the alleged assault and called for strict legal action against those found guilty. The organisation also clarified that Bisht currently holds no official position or responsibility within it.
Meanwhile, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has announced a protest outside Uttarakhand Bhawan in Delhi on November 16, demanding an impartial investigation and justice for the survivor.
The investigation is ongoing.
(With inputs from media reports)