13-year-old gang-raped, her friend sexually assaulted inside abandoned Faridabad building; 3 held, 3 absconding

FARIDABAD: Three suspects have been arrested a month after the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl and sexual assault of her 16-year-old friend inside a dilapidated building in Greater Faridabad.The accused were arrested on Thursday and produced before a local court, which sent them to three days of police custody.Sources said a total of six individuals were involved in the crime and efforts are underway to apprehend the three remaining suspects.According to police, the incident occurred about a month ago, on August 24. The victim, an eighth-grade student, was returning home from tuition classes when she went to meet her 16-year-old friend.While the two were together, six youths allegedly tracked them down, cornered them inside an abandoned building and subjected them to sexual violence while threatening them with physical harm.Due to the threats, both girls initially concealed the ordeal from their families.However, after the girl began showing signs of distress, her mother questioned her, prompting the teenager to disclose what had happened.A formal complaint was lodged at BPTP police station on September 29.Based on the complaint and subsequent medical examinations conducted on Thursday night, police registered a case of gang rape and unnatural assault under relevant legal provisions.Three of the accused, identified as Kunal, Deepak and Yash, were taken into custody. They were produced before a magistrate on Thursday night, who ordered them to three days of police remand.Authorities said the investigation is continuing and teams are working to track down the remaining three suspects.