A shocking case of crime against women has come to light from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, where the mother of a Class 12 female student has alleged that her daughter was gangraped by 23 men over a period of seven days, from March 29 to April 4. The FIR, registered at Lalpur police station, names 12 identified individuals and 11 unidentified ones. So far, six suspects have been arrested in this case.
According to police, the 18-year-old girl, who was preparing for a sports course, regularly visited UP College for running practice. On March 29, she accompanied a friend to a hookah bar in the Pishachmochan area. There, several men joined them. The girl alleged she was given a spiked cold drink and subsequently taken to various hotels in the Sigra area, where she was repeatedly assaulted.
Some of the accused were known to her — including acquaintances from Instagram and former classmates. The victim was reported missing by her family on April 4 and was found the same day. However, no sexual assault complaint was initially made. It wasn’t until April 6 that a formal complaint regarding the alleged gangrape was submitted.
A senior police official said, “As per her statement, on March 29, a friend took her to a hookah bar in the Pishachmochan area, where other men also joined. The girl alleged that she was drugged with a spiked cold drink and then taken to different hotels in the Sigra area, where she was gang raped.”
Varanasi Police have started examining CCTV footage from the hookah bar and questioning its staff. Senior police officer Chandra Kant Meena, DCP of the Varuna Zone, confirmed that an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. He also clarified that the victim is not a minor, addressing misinformation in some media reports.
“The girl had initially gone willingly with her friend,” Meena stated, “However, a complaint of gangrape was later filed, and we are taking all necessary legal steps.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured that strict action will be taken based on the evidence gathered.
