Godda police on Wednesday arrested Ashish Rana (19); the second accused of the rape case, who on Monday night had gangraped a 46 years old female ascetic at Pathwara-Kathaun locality under mufassil police station of the district.
Godda SP YS Ramesh confirmed the arrest and said that further investigation is going on in this matter.
On Tuesday, police had arrested Deepak Rana (32) who has a criminal background.
However, unconfirmed reports claimed that while both the accused raped the victim inside the ashram as many as two of their associates were guarding outside of the ashram along with weapons.
“Both of them are named accused and they have been arrested. We are investigating whether or not some other persons were involved in committing or abetting the crime. Investigation is going on and district police are gathering evidence,” said the SP.
Both arrested accused are residents of Pathwara-Kathaun and they had also manhandled other occupants of the ashram.
Victim is stated to belong to Banaras and she had come to Godda before the lockdown. But she could not return as she was caught in the lockdown.
Sources in the police said that there were few occupants at the ashram when the accused sneaked onto the campus of the ashram. When a female ascetic and a male sadhu requested them honour their dignity, the accused pushed them inside the bathroom.
“Victim even pleaded for her life and dignity and asked them to leave her saying she is an ascetic and like their mother. But the accused committed a heinous crime. Accused were in drunken condition,” said sources in Godda police.
Accused Deepak has the criminal background as he was booked in as many as eight cases of Arms act, extortion and likes. He was recently released on bail.
After the incident security at the ashram was increased and local residents had threatened agitation if accused were not arrested. Sensing the seriousness of the matter Chief minister Hemant Soren had district police to immediately arrest the accused.
Sources in the police said that police will go for a speedy trial to ensure justice for the victim.