8 held for rape of model in Mumbai police station

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 24

The Mumbai police have arrested eight persons, including a woman and three police officials, in connection with the sexual assault on a model earlier this month.

Among those arrested include two assistant police inspectors and a constable, sources said. In her complaint to police commissioner Rakesh Maria, the model said on April 4 when she was moving out of a five-star hotel after auditioning for a film, she and her boyfriend were detained by three policemen who were in a van. The three police personnel allegedly asked her to come to the police station and threatened to arrest her under the immoral trafficking act if she refused to do so.

The model alleged that she was taken to a police chowki in Saki Naka where the three policemen demanded bribe from her for her release. The model said while her boyfriend sent out to arrange for cash, she was sexually assaulted by the policemen.

Police officials did not reveal details about the role of the woman who was arrested in connection with the incident. While the three policemen and their two associates were arrested on Thursday, the others were held today, the police said.

After the assault, the model had left Mumbai and sent an email to Maria about the incident. She was summoned to the city earlier this week and questioned regarding the incident, the police said. The three policemen were produced before a court today. They have been remanded in custody, sources said.