Man rapes friend at city mall, booked

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 13

The police have booked a middle-aged man for allegedly raping and threatening a 33-year-old woman. The suspect, identified as Dheeraj Batra, a resident of Jassian Road area, has absconded.

A case has been registered against him under Section 376 and 506 of the IPC at the Division Number 5 police station. Further investigation into the case is on.

In her complaint to the police, the victim has stated that she became friends with Dheeraj Batra a few months ago. Batra offered her to go with him to watch a movie on February 1. “I accepted his offer and we went to watch a film at Silver Arc Mall. While watching the movie, Dheeraj gave me a cold drink laced with sedative. After consuming the cold drink, I fell unconscious and he raped me in the theatre,” alleged the victim.

According to the woman, after raping her, the suspect apologised and promised to marry her. After a few days, he refused to marry her and also issued threats, following which the woman reported the matter to the police.

The investigating officer, Inspector Pardeep Singh, said the police had registered a case under Section 376 and 506 of the IPC against the suspect. “He has absconded. The police are searching for him and he will be arrested soon,” said the Inspector.