Guwahati: A 20-year-old woman from Assam's hills district Karbi Anglong was allegedly gang-raped in a hotel at Paltan Bazar, Guwahati on the Shiva Ratri night. The accused duo identified as Chandan Mahanta, owner of ABC Grill Junction, a fast food owner and his employee Rohan Ali, have been arrested by the police.
According to DCP Central Guwahati Amitabh Basumatary, the survivor filed a complaint at 9 PM on Shivratri night, alleging that the two men had offered liquor and cannabis laced drinks to her and a friend.
While her friend refused to accompany them, the accused lured the survivor to Rashmi Hotel in Rajgarh, where they forced her to consume alcohol again before allegedly raping her.
Speaking to reporters Amitabh Basumatary said, "The young woman came to the police station last night at 9 PM and filed a complaint. The victim alleged that she was raped by two individuals. The accused are Chandan Mahanta, the owner of ABC Grill Junction, and his employee, Rohan Ali. On the occasion of Shivratri, the two accused offered liquor to two young women, saying they would give them cannabis to consume. After that, they wanted to take both young women for a ride. However, the friend of the victim refused to go with the two accused. The accused then took the victim to Rashmi Hotel in Rajgarh. The victim’s friend refrained from accompanying them. After taking the victim to the hotel, they again made her consume alcohol. Following this, both accused raped the young woman"
“The victims were instead given alcohol at a spot near Mahant’s coffee house and later taken on a car ride,” Basumatary said.
One of the women managed to get out of the vehicle, but the other was taken to a hotel in Rajgarh.
“The victim had requested to return to her hostel, but the accused told her it was too late and that they would drop her off in the morning. She has alleged that she was raped thereafter,” the DCP added.
The Paltan Bazar police have taken both accused into custody, and an in-depth investigation is underway. Authorities have assured strict action against the perpetrators.
When asked about the rise in such crimes in the city, Basumatary noted that many young women from remote areas arrive with aspirations, only to fall prey to individuals who exploit their trust and vulnerability
