Three held after woman alleges rape by friend in Kolkata

Kolkata, Jul 13 (PTI) A woman has lodged a complaint that she was raped by a friend who was assisted by two others in south Kolkata's Thakurpukur area, prompting the police to arrest all three accused, an officer said on Monday. The alleged incident took place late on Saturday night, following which the woman lodged the complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station. In her complaint, the woman alleged that the prime accused, who is known to her, forced himself on her when she had visited his residence, while two others helped him. Acting on the complaint, police arrested all three accused and launched an investigation. "We received the complaint and registered a case. Three persons have been arrested. The allegations are being verified, and the role of each accused is being examined as part of the investigation," the police officer said. The complainant's mobile phone, which she alleged had been taken away during the incident, has been recovered, he added. "We are trying to ascertain the circumstances under which it was taken away and whether it has any evidentiary value in the case. The accused are being questioned, and further evidence is being collected," the officer said. Investigators are also examining the role of the third accused. According to police, two friends of the prime accused had visited his house on Sunday night. "So far, no direct link has emerged between those two persons and the alleged assault on the complainant. However, the investigation is at a preliminary stage, and all aspects are being examined," the officer added. PTI SCH NN