A 52-year-old Danish woman, who was allegedly gangraped by eight persons in Delhi last year, today appeared in a Delhi court which commenced recording of her statement.
The woman came to the court from Denmark in pursuance of summons issued earlier and her statement is being recorded before Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja in an in-camera proceeding.
The court had summoned the woman on February 24 this year for recording of her testimony after the earlier one issued on January 13 could not be served upon her.
The court had directed that fresh summons be issued to the woman as per the guidelines of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) which require a processing time of at least three months.
The court’s direction had come after the IO informed it that the summons issued to the woman had returned unserved as India does not have a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) with Denmark.
The police, in its charge sheet, had said that the eight persons, all vagabonds, had allegedly robbed and gangraped the Danish tourist at knife-point on the night of January 14, 2014 after leading her to a secluded spot close to the Divisional Railway Officers’ Club near New Delhi Railway Station.
The eight accused, including two juveniles, were arrested in the case. The two juveniles are facing an inquiry before the Juvenile Justice Board in Delhi.
The six adult accused – Mahendra alias Ganja (24), Mohd Raja (22), Raju (23), Arjun (21), Raju Chakka (22) and Shyam Lal (55), are in judicial custody and facing trial.
The eight accused have been booked under sections 376(2) (g) (gangrape), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 392 (robbery) of IPC.
