UPSC student gangrape accused changes 18 SIM cards, shifts hideouts to dodge cops
A University of Delhi student has alleged that she was drugged, confined and gang-raped in Lucknow. Police have formed four teams, announced rewards and are pursuing two absconding accused.
The accused in the alleged gangrape of a UPSC aspirant in Lucknow changed nearly 18 SIM cards and frequently switched locations while on the run to evade arrest, police said. The survivor, a BA Honours student at a college affiliated with the University of Delhi, alleged that she was drugged, held captive for three days and gangraped after being taken from Charbagh railway station to a room in Sushant Golf City earlier this month.
Police further pointed out that four teams have been formed to investigate the case, and a reward of Rs 25,000 each has been announced for the arrest of the absconding main accused, Shivam Yadav, and his associate, Shani Yadav. The survivor recorded her statement before a court on Tuesday, while police said they have detained one suspect for questioning and are examining the contacts of the accused.
According to the allegations, the survivor was travelling to Delhi on May 15 when she contacted Shivam Yadav, whom she knew. Police said he allegedly brought her from Charbagh railway station to a room in Sushant Golf City. The survivor alleged that she was then drugged and held captive for three days, during which she was allegedly gang-raped.
Police said the accused allegedly sent her to Delhi by train on May 18 after her health deteriorated, and then went absconding. During the investigation, police found that the two accused allegedly changed nearly 18 SIM cards and frequently switched locations while on the run to avoid arrest, which made it difficult to trace them.
Investigators also found that the survivor had earlier stayed in Lucknow twice with Shivam, police said, adding that all angles are being examined as part of the probe. A police team reached Prayagraj on Monday and conducted raids at possible hideouts linked to Shivam Yadav. However, his family reportedly told police that he had not returned home.
The investigation is continuing in Lucknow, with police pursuing leads linked to the two absconding accused, questioning a detained suspect and examining the accused persons’ contacts, while the survivor’s court statement has also been recorded.