US rape victim fails to identify accused

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

A US rape survivor has failed to identify the accused during a videoconferencing held here today.

The identification parade of the accused, Baldev Singh of Ludhiana, was held and the victim reportedly told the court that she was not sure whether he was her tormentor.

The US national had come to India in January 2015 as a tourist. In March 2015, she had come to Chandigarh to further go to Haridwar and Rishikesh. On the fateful night, she took an auto-rickshaw, allegedly driven by Baldev, to look for a cheap accommodation. Baldev took her to Kharar after calling his accomplice Lucky. The US national was allegedly raped there.

The victim did not lodge a complaint in the city and went to France where she was working as her passport was about to expire in four days. From there, she sent an email to the IGP, UT, alleging rape.

The victim got her medical examination conducted in France.

A case under Sections 328, 342, 366, 376, 392 and 34 of the IPC was registered against the accused, who was later arrested in December 2017.