Patna: Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the gang-rape of a teenage girl who was abducted from Patna Junction earlier this month.
Arvind Kumar, who had been evading authorities since the incident, was apprehended by Railway Police and sent into judicial custody on Tuesday. His arrest follows the prior detention of two other men, Vikas Kumar and Pawan Kumar, in a case that has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of lone travellers in Bihar’s capital.
According to Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kanchan Raj, the victim—a resident of Motihari who lived with her parents in Vijayawada—was targeted while travelling back to her native village.
A ‘Predatory’ Deception
The ordeal began on May 1, when the girl arrived at Patna Junction and discovered she had lost her mobile phone. It is alleged that Vikas Kumar, who was loitering at the station, approached the distressed teenager under the guise of offering assistance to file a formal police complaint.
Instead, the victim was lured into a white Maruti Ertiga. Police say she was then driven to several locations across the city where she was joined by Pawan Kumar. The men eventually took her to an under-construction building in the Beur area, where Arvind Kumar was waiting.
Investigators state the girl was subjected to a prolonged assault, allegedly raped both inside the vehicle and at the Beur property.
Evidence and Investigation
The victim was abandoned near Danapur Railway Station and was later rescued on May 3 after concerned passengers alerted the authorities. She was subsequently moved to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment and forensic examination.
Railway SP Anant Kumar Rai confirmed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to track the suspects. “The arrest of the third accused marks a significant step in the investigation,” the DSP stated. “We have recovered the vehicle used in the commission of the crime and seized two mobile phones as evidence.”
The police have recorded the victim’s statement before a magistrate and are currently awaiting final reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Push for a Speedy Trial
The case highlights a recurring pattern of “predatory assistance” at major transit hubs, where vulnerable passengers are targeted by local gangs.
Patna police have indicated they will push for a “speedy trial” based on the scientific and technical evidence gathered. “Our objective is to ensure a swift conviction to serve as a deterrent,” the DSP added.
As the legal proceedings begin, the case has once again turned the spotlight on the security protocols at Patna’s railway stations and the efficacy of the Government Railway Police (GRP) in protecting unaccompanied minors.
