New Delhi: Three policemen along with three others were arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping and robbing a 28-year-old model in Mumbai.
The alleged incident that took place on April 3 came to light after the woman sent a text message to police commissioner Rakesh Maria and later met him at his office on Wednesday to seek his help,.
After speaking to the victim, commissioner ordered action. Cases of rape, sexual harassment and extortion have been filed against two assistant police inspectors, a constable and three others.
The woman told the police chief that she had gone to a five-star hotel to audition for a film on April 3. When she came out, a police vehicle allegedly pulled up and the men inside threatened to arrest her if she didn't get in.
The woman was allegedly taken to a police station in Sakinaka in Andheri in the western part of the city, and raped through the night. The next morning, the policemen allegedly demanded money, around Rs. 4.5 lakh, to let her go.
The woman's friend reportedly came and paid the money. She told the police chief that her friend went to several ATMs in the middle of the night to get the cash.
The Crime Branch arrested the two assistant police inspectors and the constable yesterday. Three others, including a woman, who allegedly assisted the policemen in the extortion, are absconding.
A team of the Mumbai crime branch, headed by senior inspector Gopika Jhagirdar, will investigate the case.
The accused have been booked under sections 376 (rape), 354A (sexual harassment), 384 (extortion), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (assault), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 34 (common intention) and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code.
