‘Raped in Front of Boyfriend’: Woman Alleges Seven-Men Assault Near Silchar, ₹10,000 Extorted

A 28-year-old woman has alleged that she was gang-raped by seven men and coerced into transferring ₹10,000 while she was out with her boyfriend near Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district, police said on Tuesday.

According to officials, the woman filed a complaint regarding the February 19 incident, after which a case was registered at the Silchar Sadar Police Station. The survivor has identified two of the accused, both of whom have been arrested. Police said efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects.

Allegations by family
Family members of the survivor claimed that the woman and her boyfriend were inside a car on Bypass Road, a few kilometres from Silchar town, when a group of men arrived in an SUV and confronted them.

“They first questioned the couple about their presence there and then suddenly grabbed the woman and her friend. There were around seven men, and they raped her one by one in front of her friend,” family members alleged.

Police confirmed that the survivor has undergone a mandatory medical examination and that her statement has been recorded as part of the investigation.

Journalist assault claim
The case drew wider attention after a Silchar-based journalist alleged that he was attacked by relatives of one of the accused. The journalist claimed he was stopped near the National Highway Road police station, questioned about his reporting on the incident, and assaulted. He said bystanders intervened and rescued him. Police stated that a complaint has been filed and one person has been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.

A senior police officer urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media and to allow the investigation to proceed.

Extortion allegation
In her complaint, the woman alleged that the accused forced her to transfer ₹10,000 to one of their bank accounts before fleeing the scene.

An FIR has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including sections pertaining to gang rape, extortion, dacoity, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and offences related to outraging the modesty of a woman.

Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev called for strict action, stating that she had met the Cachar Superintendent of Police to seek an update. “There should be no attempt to cover up this case,” she said, adding that the medical report is awaited.