Rewari rape suspect part of gang that ‘terrorised’ village

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Naya Gaon (Rewari), Sept 17

If residents of Naya Gaon are to be believed, the tubewell room in the village where a 19-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped on September 12, was being used by a gang of local youths for nefarious activities. Besides locals, youths from nearby Bahu Jhholari, Unhani and Chelavaas villages comprised the gang. 

“None dared to speak against them, such was the terror they struck in the aminds of residents. Rape accused Nishu Phogat too was part of the gang. He was involved in the molestation of a village woman but the matter was settled at the panchayat level,” a villager, pleading anonymity, said. 

Another claimed there was a violent clash some months ago following which the gang summoned armed youths from nearby villages. “The panchayat was called and the gangsters warned. They followed the instructions for a few days and then returned to their old ways.”

Sarpanch Sarita Devi said a panchayat had to be called after the youths began brandishing arms, terrorising residents. “They were clearly told the police would be informed if caught indulging in anti-social activities,” she said. Nuh SP Naazneen Bhasin, SIT chief handling the case, told a press conference in Rewari that the police had learnt of a molestation case in the past but no village resident had lodged a complaint in this respect.