Young woman gang-raped in Surat; BJP functionary among arrested
Surat: A case of gang rape has been registered in Gujarat's Surat city involving two accused, one of whom is a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary. The incident has triggered public outrage and led to the suspension of the party member by the BJP’s Surat unit.
According to police reports, a 23-year-old woman was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by Aditya Upadhyay and his associate Gaurav Singh. Upadhyay, who held the post of Ward General Secretary in the BJP Surat City unit, has since been arrested and suspended from all party responsibilities.
The complainant, in her statement to the police, alleged that she was offered a cold drink laced with sedatives by Upadhyay after she entered his car on the pretext of a friendly conversation. She lost consciousness shortly afterward. She was then taken to a hotel in the city, where both accused allegedly took turns sexually assaulting her.
The woman managed to file a complaint at Jahangir Pura police station after regaining consciousness. Based on her detailed testimony and preliminary investigation, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including gang rape.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1), Rakesh Barot, confirmed the arrests and stated: “We have registered a gang rape case based on the complainant’s statement and additional evidence. Both accused have been arrested and remanded to police custody for further investigation.”
CCTV footage from the hotel and digital evidence, including phone and GPS records, are being examined by investigators. Medical examinations of the survivor and the accused have also been conducted.
In response to the incident, BJP Surat City President Paresh Patel issued a statement confirming Upadhyay’s suspension.
“The party has taken cognizance of the matter and suspended Aditya Upadhyay with immediate effect pending the outcome of the legal process,” the statement read.
Women’s rights organisations have condemned the incident and demanded a speedy trial under a fast-track court. Several activists have also raised concerns about potential political interference in the investigation.
The case is likely to be transferred to the Sessions Court shortly. Police have assured that the investigation will be conducted impartially and that all necessary legal procedures are being followed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
