Six Mumbai students accused of raping American acquitted
By IANSWednesday, October 6, 2010
MUMBAI - A Mumbai court Wednesday acquitted six college students accused of raping an American student of the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) here, a lawyer said.
Sewree Fast Track Court Principal Judge Jagmalani set the accused free for lack of evidence, the lawyer said.
The six accused let off are Vinamra Soni, Jaskaran Bhullar, Harsh Vardhan, Anees Borkataki, Dev Colabawalla and Kundan, said their lawyer Parvez Memon.
The investigating officer of the case told IANS that as soon as they get a copy of the judgment they will recommend to the state government to go in for an appeal against the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.
The victim in her police complaint said she was repeatedly raped April 11, 2009 by the six youths studying in different Mumbai colleges in a private flat, where she had gone to attend a party.
The American victim said that she had gone to the flat to attend a farewell party for her friend and the six accused were also present there.
The youths mixed something in her drink and she was unconscious the whole night while they raped her, she told police.
She claimed she woke up to find herself without any clothes and the six youths sleeping beside her.
