Mhow attack: 6 arrested, departmental inquiry ordered against 2 Army officers

A departmental inquiry has been initiated against two Army officers who were attacked by a six-member gang near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Friday. The incident occurred on the night of September 10 and 11 near Jam Gate, a popular tourist spot 30 km from the Mhow military cantonment.

The two Army officers, aged 23 and 24, are part of the Young Officers course at Infantry School in Mhow cantonment town. They had gone on a picnic with two women, who were described as “old acquaintances” and not met through a dating app as speculated on social media.

Six men attacked the group, allegedly raping one of the women. The Army has ordered a departmental inquiry against the two officers, which is being headed by a senior officer.

The three accused, Rohit Girwal (23), Sandeep Wariya (18), and Sachin Makwana (25), were arrested from a forest patch near the crime site. Three others, Anil Baror (27), Pawan Bansunia (23), and Ritesh Bhabhar (25), were arrested earlier.

The accused had demanded Rs 10 lakh from the victims, threatening to harm them if their demands were not met. The police reached the spot quickly, but the accused fled upon seeing the police vehicle.

A case was registered under Sections 70 (gang rape), 310-2 (dacoity), 308-2 (extortion) and 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Arms Act.

The victim is in shock and has not yet given her statement regarding the alleged rape. The accused are being questioned about the incident.