IIT-BHU Rape Case: Accused Arrives Drunk, Flees City After 3 Days, CCTV Identification After 5 Days

In a significant development related to the alleged gang-rape of a B.Tech student at the Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), it has been uncovered that the three accused individuals departed the city on November 5, just three days after the incident took place. The revelation emerged during the interrogation of the accused, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding their swift exit.

According to statements provided by the accused, their decision to leave the city was driven by a sense of fear arising from the outstanding academic achievements of the students at IIT-BHU. The exceptional performance of the students, as mentioned by the accused, contributed to an atmosphere of apprehension, prompting them to flee to Madhya Pradesh.

Interrogation Discloses Accused’s Regular Nocturnal Visits to BHU Campus and Night Outing Prior to the Incident

Recent findings from the preliminary interrogation of the three accused individuals—Kunal, Shaksham, and Anand, also known as Abhishek—in the alleged gang-rape case at the Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), have brought to light details of their habitual visits to the BHU campus during nighttime. According to reliable sources, the accused trio would frequently venture to the BHU campus for nocturnal outings.

On the evening of November 1, the accused engaged in a series of activities. Their night commenced with a visit to the Lakha Mela of Nati Imli. Subsequently, they consumed alcohol before making their way to the BHU campus. This sequence of events, revealed during the preliminary interrogation, provides insight into the accused individuals’ activities leading up to the reported incident.

Accused Intercepted Victim Near Hyderabad Gate After Forcing Away Her Friend

In a disturbing account provided during the preliminary interrogation, it has been disclosed that, at approximately 1:30 in the night, the three accused individuals intercepted the victim and her friend near Hyderabad Gate at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. The trio reportedly halted their motorcycle upon observing the girl walking with her companion, subsequently coercing the friend to leave the scene. Following this, the accused forcibly perpetrated the crime.

After committing the alleged assault, the three assailants departed from the location through Hyderabad Gate of BHU. The revelation of these details highlights the significance of refining security measures at specific locations within the campus, particularly during nighttime hours.

Varanasi Police Utilizes Extensive CCTV Footage Analysis to Identify Accused in IIT-BHU Assault

In the aftermath of the incident on November 1, Varanasi police undertook a meticulous examination of over 300 CCTV footages covering a span of 6 kilometers in their quest to identify the perpetrators. Subsequently, on November 5, the police successfully obtained footage featuring the three accused individuals riding on a motorcycle. Upon verifying the authenticity of the footage, law enforcement officials presented it to the victim for confirmation.

Sources reveal that the victim, upon viewing the CCTV footage, was able to identify the faces of the accused. The victim asserted that these were the same individuals who had allegedly subjected them to a distressing incident involving the creation of a nude video at gunpoint.

Varanasi Police Connects Links to Identify and Locate Accused in IIT-BHU Assault

Following a methodical process, Varanasi police successfully identified and located the accused in the IIT-BHU assault case by meticulously connecting various investigative links. Once the faces of the accused were confirmed, the police initiated a thorough identification process, collecting comprehensive details such as names, addresses, and other pertinent information.

Integral to the investigation was the meticulous collection of CCTV footage that played a pivotal role in establishing the sequence of events. Leveraging this footage, the police traced the mobile numbers associated with the three accused individuals, enabling them to determine the location of the suspects at the time of the incident.

Amidst increased election activities in five states during the month of November, the three accused individuals in the IIT-BHU assault case reportedly found engagement in social media work related to the elections in Madhya Pradesh. However, law enforcement agencies were keenly monitoring the situation and actively collecting electronic evidence to substantiate their involvement.

Despite the alleged perpetrators’ belief that they had successfully eluded law enforcement, the Varanasi police, armed with a thorough investigation and confirmed evidence, ultimately apprehended the three accused individuals on December 30. The arrest came after meticulous efforts in collecting and verifying various clues, dispelling the notion that the accused could evade legal consequences.

Blurred CCTV Footage Raises Concerns, Alternative Leads Emerge in IIT-BHU Assault Case

The investigation into the IIT-BHU assault case faced hurdles as the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was reportedly unclear. Interrogation of the three arrested suspects, namely Kunal, Aamal, and Anand, revealed that on the evening of November 1, they had attended the Lakha Mela of Nati Imli before proceeding to the BHU campus where the alleged incident occurred.

Sources indicate that the initial attempt to trace the accused individuals in the CCTV footage outside Hyderabad Gate of BHU was impeded by its lack of clarity, attributed to the absence of night vision capability. Undeterred by this setback, the police redirected their efforts and examined footage from the CCTV installed outside the Singh Gate of BHU.

In a turn of events, the alternative CCTV footage revealed three individuals riding motorcycles entering the campus at 1 am. The presence of the suspects in the vicinity at that hour raised suspicions, prompting the police to intensify their scrutiny of the individuals and the events leading up to the reported incident.

Varanasi Police Traces Accused’s Journey through Mela Footage

In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the IIT-BHU assault case, Varanasi police diligently examined CCTV footage from various locations, including Lanka, Ravidas Gate, Bhelupur, and beyond. The exhaustive search led to the identification of the initial location of the suspects’ motorcycle at the ongoing Nakkattaya Mela in Chetganj. Cameras at this location provided clear images of the accused individuals.

Upon presenting the images to a student witness, the police received positive identification, further solidifying the connection between the suspects and the reported incident. The successful tracing of the accused’s journey through meticulous examination of multiple CCTV sources has strengthened the evidentiary foundation for the case.

Three Accused in IIT-BHU Assault Case Confess to Crime, Remanded into Custody

In a significant development, sources reveal that the three accused individuals in the IIT-BHU assault case have confessed to their involvement in the crime. According to these sources, the accused admitted to encountering the girl and a male student roaming the campus at night. The confession details the forced video recording of the male student, although the accused claimed to have only captured the video without engaging in any further actions.

It is worth noting that, despite the alleged confession, official statements from the police have not been released even 24 hours after the arrest of the accused. This could be indicative of an ongoing investigation or procedural considerations.

Subsequent to their arrest, the three accused were presented before a magistrate late on Sunday, December 31, where they were formally remanded into custody for a period of 14 days. During this legal proceeding, the faces of the accused were covered with a white cloth, possibly to maintain their anonymity or comply with legal procedures.

Strengthened Measures Following Protests and Subsequent Arrests

The gang-rape incident at IIT-BHU between November 1st and 2nd sparked widespread protests, with over 3,000 students participating in a strike. Their demands, which included the arrest of the accused and improved campus security, prompted the registration of an FIR at Lanka Police Station. Following negotiations, an agreement was reached to redefine the parameters of campus security.

The accused were apprehended by the police 60 days after the incident, on December 30. Subsequently, a team from Bhaskar investigated the efficacy of security arrangements at BHU and IIT-BHU during this 60-day period.

Enhanced Security Measures at IIT-BHU Campus Following Incident: A Nighttime Evaluation

At 8 PM, our team visited the Hyderabad Gate of the IIT-BHU campus, where the unfortunate incident occurred. Notably, four security personnel, including a policeman, were observed at this entrance. Walking approximately 500 meters into the campus, we arrived at the location where the student was molested. It was evident that there had been significant improvements in security arrangements, including the installation of hi-tech cameras and a well-lit environment. Previously, there were only two cameras in this vicinity, but these did not capture the accused on the night of the incident.

On this route, adjacent to the Karamveer Baba temple, a designated post has been established. Notably, security personnel and a policeman were stationed at this location, contributing to an increased presence of law enforcement in critical areas of the campus.

Assessing Barricades and Deployments at IIT-BHU Campus

Continuing our assessment, our team arrived at the library and director’s office on the IIT-BHU campus at 8:30 PM. Notably, barricades were strategically placed at these key locations, signaling a visible effort to fortify security measures. In addition to the barricades, security personnel and police officers were stationed at nearby posts, contributing to an increased vigilance in crucial areas.

The presence of temporary barricading at a total of 5 locations throughout the campus is indicative of a systematic approach to control access points and enhance security. Further, our observations revealed that security personnel were deployed at more than 12 locations, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the security enhancements.

Agriculture Square at BHU Campus Evaluated at 9 PM

At 9 PM, our team proceeded to the Agriculture Square of the BHU campus, focusing on the surveillance and safety measures in place. Notably, two members of the Proctorial Board were observed at the location. Our assessment revealed the presence of CCTV cameras strategically installed on four roads, each surrounded by a thin iron wire for added security. Additionally, more than 65 cameras were reported to be operational across a total of 25 intersections (chowks) within BHU.

This comprehensive camera network is indicative of a robust surveillance infrastructure aimed at enhancing the security posture of the campus. The meticulous installation and protective measures surrounding the cameras contribute to the efficacy of this surveillance system.

During the examination of the entire BHU campus, it was noted that outsider movement was prevalent before 10 PM. Upon inquiry, it was explained that the continuous traffic, attributed to the Vishwanath temple and the hospital within the campus, posed a challenge to completely restricting external movement.