Patna: Three youths were arrested in Purnia district on Thursday for allegedly gang raping a 19-year-old woman, police said. The woman, a resident of Katihar, was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend and his two friends on Tuesday.According to police, the rape survivor was to Purnia by her boyfriend from Katihar. When she reached the designated location in the evening, the accused allegedly arrived in a car and persuaded her to get in. They then took her to a nearby garage where they committed the crime.Police said the woman managed to flee from the spot and reached the road, raising an alarm. A night patrol team from the Mufassil police station found her in a distressed condition around 1.30am and intervened. The matter came to light following her statement to the police team.Based on her complaint, police registered a case and detained all three accused from the spot. The vehicle used in the incident has been seized along with cellphones belonging to the accused.Station house officer Sudin Ram said the prime accused, identified as the survivor’s friend, had called her from Katihar to Purnia under the pretext of a meeting. His two associates were also present in the car. Police said two of the accused allegedly committed rape, while the third attempted to assault her.The accused have denied the allegations, claiming they knew the woman and that the interaction was consensual. Police, however, said the case has been registered based on the survivor’s written complaint and supporting evidence.The woman has undergone medical examination, and steps are underway to record her statement before a magistrate. An FSL team also visited the crime spot and collected forensic evidence.“All three accused have been sent to judicial custody. The case is being investigated to ensure a speedy trial and strict punishment,” the SHO said.
