Danish woman gangrape case: Court records statements of 2 cops

A Delhi court today recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses, including a police official who had arrested three of the eight persons accused of gangraping a 52-year-old Danish woman here last year.
Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja recorded the testimonies of Delhi Police Sub Inspector Saroj and Assistant Sub Inspector Harpal as prosecution witnesses.
During the hearing, Harpal deposed that he had arrested three of the eight accused, including Mahendra and Mohd Raja, and also identified them in the court.
He also told the court that he had recovered several of the victim's articles, including her mobile and a book, from the possession of the accused at the time of their arrest.

The statements of the two policemen remained inconclusive and the court has now fixed the case for June 1.
The police, in its charge sheet, said eight persons, all vagabonds, had robbed and gangraped the Danish tourist at knife point on the night of January 14, 2014 after leading her to a secluded spot close to the Divisional Railway Officers' Club near New Delhi Railway Station.

The eight accused, including two juveniles, were arrested in the case. The two juveniles are facing an inquiry before the Juvenile Justice Board here.
The court had earlier issued summons to the woman to appear before it on July 1 for recording of her testimony as a prosecution witness. The earlier summons to the woman could not be served upon.

The court had directed that summons be issued to the woman, who resides in Denmark, according to the guidelines of the External Affairs Ministry which required a processing time of at least three months.
It had earlier directed the investigating officer (IO) to furnish a report regarding the procedure to secure the victim's presence before the court for recording her statement in the absence of mutual legal assistance treaty between India and Denmark.
The court's direction had come after the IO had informed it that the summon issued to the woman has returned unserved as India does not have a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) with Denmark.

The six adult accused - Mahendra alias Ganja (24), Mohd Raja (22), Raju (23), Arjun (21), Raju Chakka (22) and Shyam Lal (55), are in judicial custody and facing trial.
The total eight accused have been booked under sections 376(2)(g) (gangrape), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 392 (robbery) of IPC.