Violent attack on army officers, raped female friend at Madhya Pradesh picnic spot

New Delhi: In a shocking incident in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, two young Indian Army officers were attacked, and one of their female companions was allegedly raped by a group of unidentified men during a picnic on Wednesday.

Details of the incident

According to Lokendra Singh Hirore, the in-charge of Badgonda police station, the two officers, aged 23 and 24, were undergoing the Young Officers (YO) course at the Infantry School in Mhow cantonment town. They had ventured out for a picnic on Tuesday with their two female friends. The attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday near their picnic spot on Mhow-Mandleshwar road.

A group of 6-7 assailants targeted the officers and their friends. The attackers began by assaulting one officer and one of the female friends who were inside a car. Upon hearing the disturbance, the other officer and the remaining woman, who were on a nearby hilltop, rushed to the scene.

The attackers held the pair in the car hostage at gunpoint and demanded ₹10 lakh in ransom from the second officer. Taking advantage of this situation, the officer managed to alert his superiors in Mhow, who promptly informed the police. Unfortunately, by the time the police arrived, the attackers had fled.

Medical and legal proceedings

The victims were transported to Mhow civil hospital where medical examinations confirmed that one of the women had been raped. A case has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including gangrape, dacoity, extortion, and voluntarily causing hurt, as well as under the Arms Act.

Suspects and investigation

Additional Superintendent of Police Rupesh Dwivedi stated that six suspects have been identified, with two currently detained. Indore Rural SP Hitika Vasal revealed that one of the detained suspects had a previous looting case from 2016. Vasal confirmed that the attack was not organised but opportunistic, with one of the attackers armed with a pistol.