In a significant breakthrough in the high-profile gang rape case of a minor girl in the Mohanlalganj police station area of Lucknow, local authorities have arrested the hotel owner. The hotel operator is accused of providing a room to the minor without any valid identity proof and criminally abetting the serious offense. The accused hotel owner has been produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.
How the Case Unfolded
On July 24, a complainant reported the mysterious disappearance of her 16-year-old minor sister-in-law. During the intensive police investigation, it was revealed that an accused named Durgesh, along with his wife Khushboo and a woman named Rabia, had lured and kept the minor with them. Between July 18 and 20, Rabia, accompanied by her husband Vinod, took the teenager to a hotel in the PGI area, where she was introduced to Dwarika Raidas. According to the allegations, the minor was subjected to gang rape inside the hotel room over a period of three days.
Five Accused Already Behind Bars
Following the incident, the Mohanlalganj police registered a case under stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. Acting swiftly, the police had earlier arrested and jailed five prime named accused—Dwarika, Vinod Rawat, Durgesh Rawat, Khushboo, and Rabia. During further investigation, scrutiny of CCTV footage and technical evidence exposed the involvement of the hotel management.
Exposed by CCTV: Room Provided Without Verification
Police investigation revealed that hotel owner Deepak Gupta blatantly flouted rules by accommodating the minor girl in his hotel without any valid identity proof. Main accused Dwarika was also staying at the same hotel during that period. Armed with concrete evidence, police arrested Deepak Gupta on Sunday. During interrogation, the accused confessed to his crime, admitting that the victim, the other accused, and Dwarika had stayed at his hotel, and sought forgiveness for his negligence.
Strict Warning and Directives from Police Administration
ACP Mohanlalganj Rajesh Kumar Singh adopted a stern stance on the matter, making it clear that anyone directly or indirectly assisting criminals or involved in crimes concerning minors will face unsparing action. Issuing a strict warning to all hotel, lodge, and guest house operators, he mandated that no room or shelter should be given to any individual without proper and valid identity documents. Authorities have asserted that strict legal action will continue against violators without exception.