Five arrested in Swiss woman gang rape case

Two days after a Swiss tourist was allegedly gang raped in Datia, Madhya Pradesh police on Sunday arrested five accused and recovered the mobile and the laptop robbed from the victim and her husband.

"We have arrested five persons who raped the Swiss woman and recovered her mobile and laptop," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) D K Arya said.

The five arrested were identified as Baba, Bhutha, Rampro, Gaza alias Brajesh and Vishnu Kanjar.

"The sixth accused identified as Nitin Kanjar is absconding and we are hopeful of arresting him soon," he said.

The 39-year-old Swiss woman, on a cycling trip along with her husband, was allegedly gang raped at a forest area in Datia district, on the night of March 15.

Earlier, the police had detained over 20 people and on the basis of leads provided by them the arrests were made.

The woman has left for New Delhi, the IG said.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta said the incident was "unfortunate" but claimed foreign tourists were not following rules on informing local police about their movements.

"What happened is unfortunate for our nation. When foreign tourists come, they should inform the SP (Superintendent of Police) about their plans. This is the system but it is not being followed," he said.

The alleged offence took place at Jhadia village, around 9 pm on March 15, when the woman along with her partner was touring the region on a bicycle as part of their India tour.

The couple--who are adventure tourists-- was camping at a forest area for the night while on their way back from Orchha, home to temples of Lord Ram, and were proceeding to Agra when they were attacked and looted by some persons who took away their laptops and other valuables.