Authorities in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, have arrested four men accused of the gang rape of a minor girl at a local homestay. The arrests followed a complaint filed by the victim’s family late on November 14, according to police reports. The accused have been identified as Dheeraj Bisht, Nitin Pal, Ansh Khatri, and Himanshu Gauni.
The incident allegedly took place on November 12 at the Trishul Homestay in the Mukhani area. Following an inspection of the premises and a review of CCTV footage, officials confirmed that the establishment had allowed the occupants to rent a room without verifying age or identification documents. Consequently, local authorities sealed the building and initiated legal proceedings against the management for these regulatory violations.
Among those arrested, Dheeraj Bisht is a former candidate who represented the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in the MBPG College student union presidential election. Following his arrest, the ABVP released a statement condemning the crime and clarifying that Bisht currently holds no position or responsibility within the organization. While the ABVP held public demonstrations and burned effigies of the suspects to demand strict action, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also announced protests, including a demonstration outside Uttarakhand Bhawan in New Delhi.
Key facts
- The four suspects arrested are Dheeraj Bisht, Nitin Pal, Ansh Khatri, and Himanshu Gauni.
- The incident occurred on November 12 at the Trishul Homestay in Haldwani.
- Nainital SSP Manjunath TC stated that initial inquiries link the suspects to a local group called the ITI Gang.
- The homestay was sealed after failing to verify the identity or age of the minor.
- The FIR was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Why it matters
The case has triggered widespread public outcry and political pressure, with student organizations demanding a transparent, time-bound investigation. The NSUI has called for an impartial inquiry to ensure the case is not influenced by political affiliations, while the victim has undergone mandatory medical examinations as part of the ongoing legal process.
Source: News18, Indian Express
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