JNU rape case: Congress demands transparent probe

Condemning the recent incident of rape being reported from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the Congress on Monday demanded a transparent inquiry and stringent punishment for the accused if found guilty.

Congress leader Shobha Oza told ANI, "There should be a transparent inquiry into it. And if found guilty, the AISA activist should undergo stringent punishment."

A first-year PhD student of JNU on Sunday accused an All India Students' Association (AISA) activist, identified as Anmol Ratan, of raping her at his university hostel room on Saturday.

Following the complaint by the 28-year-old victim, the Vasant Kunj Police registered a case under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The victim claimed that she had earlier in June asked in a Facebook post for a copy of the movie 'Sairat', to which the accused responded that he got a copy, said police.

On August 20, the accused picked up the victim from her hostel on the pretext of providing her a copy of the movie, said police, adding that he took her to his Brahamputra hostel, where he offered her some "laced" drink and allegedly raped her.

The police further said the accused did not allow her to leave the hostel and also threatened her.