DJB ex-engineer to be tried in 2006 rape case

A court here has ordered framing of rape charges against a former engineer of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) who is accused of sexually assaulting a senior woman executive of a private firm in 2006.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain said that prima facie, a case on charges of administering a stupefying drug with intent to cause hurt and rape, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, was made out against Sarat Chander.

However, the court discharged two other DJB engineers, Praveen Bhargava and Ramesh Thakur, in the case.

The court directed accused Sarat Chander to appear before the district and sessions judge on October 8.

The Delhi High Court in May 2013 had quashed the order of the trial court which had summoned the officials to stand trial in the case despite a closure report filed by police.

However, the state moved the Supreme Court and challenged the Delhi High Court order.

The apex court returned the matter to the trial court with a direction to proceed afresh on the point of charge.

In the first information report, the woman executive claimed that she was gang-raped by the three officials at her home after they offered her a pastry laced with sedatives in October 2006.

The court order was delivered last week.