CCTV Footage, Digital Payment Trail Help Police Arrest Four In Bahadurgarh Gang Rape Case

Image & News Source: Times of India

An alleged gang rape of a 42-year-old woman at a deserted dhaba in Bahadurgarh during the early hours of Monday has resulted in four arrests, while police continue efforts to apprehend the fifth accused.

The accused arrested in connection with the case were taken through legal formalities soon after being detained. A Bahadurgarh court granted police custody for two days to allow further interrogation, while efforts continue to track down the fifth suspect, officials said.

Police said the investigation gained momentum after a complaint was lodged by the survivor’s family. An FIR was registered at the City Police Station in Bahadurgarh, the woman underwent a medical examination, and her statement was later recorded before a magistrate.

During the probe, investigators recovered the digital video recorder (DVR) from a CCTV camera installed at a roadside dhaba on the Delhi-Rohtak Road. The footage allegedly showed the sexual assault, following which the survivor agreed to provide a detail account of the incident, Jhajjar Police Commisioner Rajshree Singh said.

According to Police, the 42-year-old woman, a resident of Uttarpradesh, had travelled to the Delhi-NCR region with her uncle in search of employment. They got off at the Pandit Shree Ram Sharma Metro Station On the Green Line Around 2 a.m. on January 12, where her cousin had arrived to receive them. She later told police that five men appeared to be trailing them from the metro station.

Police said that around 2:30 a.m. the men allegedly intercepted the trio, threatened the uncle and cousin, and forcibly separated the woman. She was then taken to a deserted dhaba located nearly 100 metres from the metro station, where the gang rape allegedly took place.

Investigators also found that the accused had purchased liquor from a nearby shop shortly before the crime. While part of the payment was made in cash, the remaining amount was transferred through UPI. Tracing the Paytm account linked to the transaction helped police identify the suspects and reconstruct their movements.

Investigators from the local Crime Investigation Agency examined surveillance footage from the dhaba and surrounding areas, along with digital payment records, call data, social media activity and inputs from local sources, to identify the suspects.

Police said four of the five accused were arrested within eight hours of the incident from different locations in Bahadurgarh. The men, originally from Bihar, were staying in rented accommodation in the Chhotu Ramnagar area. Their identities have not been disclosed as a test identification parade is pending.

Commending the prompt response of the police teams, Commisioner Rajshree Singh said the department remains committed to protecting women and warned that strict action would be taken against all those involved. She added that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused.