Days after a woman was allegedly abducted and was gang-raped by five unidentified women in Bihar’s Begusarai, another similar shocker has surfaced from Patna on Sunday, where two women, associated with a music and dance troupe, were allegedly kidnapped and were gang-raped by a group of 13 men in Patna’s Naubatpur area. According to police, the incident took place on June 18 and has sparked renewed concerns over women’s safety in the state.

Police officials aware of the incident said the survivors were allegedly abducted at gunpoint and were gang-raped by 13 men over the course of an entire night. A probe into the incident is currently underway, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted for investigation, the police said.

Women were hired for performance, end up in nightmare

The survivor women, who are cousins and hail from Jharkhand’s Latehar district, had been living at a rented accommodation in Patna’s Mithapur area. According to the FIR, they were engaged to perform at a Tilak ceremony in an area falling under the jurisdiction of Naubatpur Police Station.

Police said the programme had allegedly been booked by a man identified as Munna Kumar. However, instead of being taken to the venue, the women claimed they were taken to a secluded area by a group of men.

The FIR mentions that the women were subsequently separated and were confined at different places. During their captivity, they were allegedly gang-raped by the group throughout the night. The women also alleged that they were physically assaulted and were threatened when they attempted to resist.

Massive search operation underway

Phulwari Sharif SDPO-2 Deepak Kumar said a Zero FIR was registered immediately upon receipt of the complaint. He added that the case was then transferred to Naubatpur police station for an in-depth probe.

The officer said, “Three accused have been identified as Munna Kumar, Suraj Kumar and Bhanu Kumar. Efforts are being ensured to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects.”

To expedite the probe, the police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Multiple police teams are conducting raids at suspected hideouts and are gathering evidence linked to the case.

Victims raise alarm, locals come to their aid

According to police, the ordeal came to light the next morning when the vehicle ferrying the women entered the Phulwari Sharif Police station area. Sensing an opportunity to escape, the victims raised an alarm.

The locals were quick to respond, who alerted the Dial-112 emergency services, resulting in police intervention and the proceedings which followed.

Rohini Acharya slams Bihar govt

Political tensions have flared in the state in the aftermath of the incident. RJD leader and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, criticised the ruling government in Bihar and questioned the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state.

She expressed concern over the safety of females, saying such incidents raise serious questions about public security and the efficacy of governance.