The Chaibasa woman, a tech company employee working from home, alleged that 10 men approached them when they were taking a stroll at aerodrome ground around 7.30pm and raised objections to their presence there. “Two boys suddenly started beating my friend and they sexually assaulted me thereafter,” she said in her complaint.
The rapists left after she almost passed out. She somehow gathered herself up and reached a local shop from where she called her parents, police said. West Singbhum SP Ashutosh Shekhar said an FIR was lodged, an SIT will investigate the case, and a psychologist was contacted to counsel the woman. “She said she can identify the culprits. She went home last night, but was brought again to a hospital for tests to build a strong case.”
The woman told police that she’d been to the aerodrome grounds two-three days ago with friends. “Yesterday, they stayed late,” said a police officer. Scores of youths flock there to play football and hang around, sources said, while villagers pointed out that local women avoid the isolated playfield after nightfall. The officer said it will be a challenge to quickly identify the culprits. “There could be a possibility that youths from other villages or blocks who had come here to play football may have committed the crime. We are looking at all angles.”