BENGALURU: The Bengaluru Rural police have arrested three men in connection with the brutal gang-rape and robbery of a 27-year-old woman near Nelamangala on Tuesday night. The survivor, a beautician from West Bengal who works at weddings and functions, was attacked while her husband was away at work. She lives with her husband and two sons, while another woman from her hometown and a male friend from Assam occupy a neighbouring rented house.
According to the survivor’s complaint, five men stormed into her home around 9:30 pm on October 21, claiming to be police officers. “They accused us of possessing ganja and being involved in prostitution, and demanded ₹1 lakh. When we refused, they attacked me and another woman with a cricket bat and a machete,” the complaint stated.
The intruders allegedly gagged her younger son and her husband’s friend, locking them inside a toilet, before three men dragged her into a nearby house and gang-raped her. They also stole ₹25,000 in cash and two mobile phones before fleeing.
The woman’s elder son, who was outside during the assault, immediately alerted the police. A patrolling Hoysala unit reached the spot soon after, but the suspects had already escaped. The survivor was taken to a nearby hospital, where she filed her complaint.
The Madanayakanahalli police registered a case under Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a manhunt. Within 48 hours, three accused—Naveen, Kartik, and Glani—were arrested. Later, three others—Suyog, Jangli Prithvi, and Seena—were detained for questioning.
Police revealed that Mithun, a local resident and the alleged mastermind, is still on the run. “Preliminary investigation shows that Mithun had personal disputes with the survivor and had previously threatened her. He recruited his associates and posed as police officers to carry out the assault,” a senior officer said.
Investigators added that while three suspects are accused of rape, two others have admitted to physically assaulting the woman and stealing cash and phones. Both the survivor and the accused have undergone medical examinations, and the police are awaiting forensic reports for confirmation.
