Police in Champawat district said an alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old girl was actually a “well-planned conspiracy” allegedly created to settle personal and political rivalry. According to officials, a local man is suspected to have orchestrated the incident to falsely implicate his opponents.
The minor had earlier told police that she was gang-raped at knifepoint in Salli village. The girl had gone missing while attending a friend’s marriage function on Tuesday, after which her father approached police and filed a missing complaint.
During the search operation, police traced the girl to a dairy unit where she was found without clothes. Her hands and legs were tied with ropes when officers recovered her from the location.
Based on her initial statement, police filed a case under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the POCSO Act. Three men, Puran Rawat, Naveen Rawat and Vinod Rawat, were named as accused in the FIR.
However, Champawat Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav later said medical findings and technical proofs did not support the allegations made by the minor. The inconsistencies prompted investigators to re-examine the case.
Addressing a press conference, Yadav said a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) found major contradictions between the girl’s statement and technical inputs collected during the probe. After questioning, the minor reportedly admitted that the incident had been staged.
Police said probe pointed to Kamal Rawat, a relative of the minor, as the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy. Officials said Rawat, who had earlier been arrested in a rape case two years ago, wanted to falsely implicate the three accused due to local electoral rivalry.
Investigating team also discovered frequent communication between Kamal Rawat, the minor, and one of her female friends on the day the incident was reported. Call records and digital evidence became a key part of the investigation, the SP said.
According to police, the accused allegedly convinced the girl to participate in the plan by offering financial help for her father’s medical treatment. Officials said this promise was used to influence her cooperation.
Further discrepancies emerged after investigating team analysed CCTV footage and Call Detail Records (CDRs). The technical evidence did not match the timeline or claims made in the complaint, raising ser
"The crime scene was staged to mislead the police. Technical evidence confirmed that the named accused were not present at the location," Yadav noted.
According to Champawat Chief Medical Officer Devesh Chauhan, medical examination done on Wednesday found no signs of struggle or sexual assault. "There were no external injuries. A mark found on the right wrist was three days old and unrelated to the alleged incident," the CMO told mediapersons.
Legal action has been initiated against Kamal Rawat, a woman associate, and others allegedly involved in the conspiracy. Officials are also examining whether to widen the scope of the existing case or register a fresh FIR under charges of criminal conspiracy and providing false information.
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