13-year-old 'raped' by over 12 men for 4 days in Rajasthan; 10 arrested

JAISALMER: A 13-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly sexually assaulted by nearly a dozen people over four days in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar, sparking widespread public outrage.

A case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a Class 8 student in Sriganganagar has led to multiple arrests and an extensive police investigation, with new details continuing to emerge after the matter came to light on Saturday.According to police, the minor, a resident of a village near Sriganganagar, had gone to Srivijaynagar on June 18 to meet a friend. RPS Kailashdan Detha, in charge of the Women’s Harassment Cases Cell and the investigating officer, said the girl reached Sriganganagar at around 10:30 pm and asked an e-rickshaw driver, identified as Rambabu, to drop her home.Police allege that instead of taking her home, the driver took her to Hotel Joy Inn. Investigators claim that she was subsequently moved between multiple hotels and subjected to repeated sexual exploitation over the following days.According to the FIR and police statements, the accused allegedly facilitated the exploitation through hotel premises. Investigators are also examining allegations that alcohol was given to the minor during the period of abuse.

Police said a youth allegedly transported the girl from one hotel to another.Initially, three hotels had surfaced during the investigation; however, police have now identified a fourth establishment operating under the name “Dream” near Birbal Chowk. Records of all four hotels are currently under examination.The girl was recovered by police from Hotel Joy Inn on June 22 after her family filed a missing person report.

Based on her statement, police have arrested 10 people so far and said efforts are continuing to identify and detain others allegedly involved.Investigators have seized DVR systems from all four hotels, and a team of experts has been formed under the supervision of District Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav to analyse the footage. Police believe additional names may emerge during the examination.Among those arrested are hotel owner Mayank Sain, manager Hardeep Nath and Sachin, who are currently on police remand.

E-rickshaw driver Ram Babu, Mukesh Nath and Lalband Singla have been sent to judicial custody. On Saturday, police also arrested two more youths identified as Deepak, a resident of Kishanpura Dikhnada in Hanumangarh, and Tarun, a resident of Sriganganagar.Police stated that of the 10 arrests made so far, five accused are alleged to have directly participated in the exploitation. One hotel linked to the case has been sealed, while authorities continue to examine the role of other hotel owners and management personnel. Officials said rental records and operational documents will also be scrutinised, and legal action will be taken if complicity is established.SP Hari Shankar said investigators have recovered important leads from the mobile phones of the accused, which are helping in further arrests. He added that the safety, health and rehabilitation of the minor remain a priority and that police teams are continuing raids to trace additional suspects.The case has triggered public anger in Sriganganagar. On Saturday, the District Congress Committee organised a protest outside the Ganganagar Traders Association building, where party workers raised slogans against the police administration and hotel operators. District Congress President and Srikaranpur MLA Rupinder Singh Kunnar joined the demonstration and demanded strict action against those responsible.