A woman from Darjeeling in West Bengal was allegedly raped in New Delhi for a week by her friend, who also tortured her, causing serious injuries. The police also said on Tuesday that the accused even used to pour "hot dal" on the woman.
The 28-year-old accused, Paras, has been arrested and charged with rape, sodomy, and causing harm.
The woman was hospitalised with around 20 visible injury marks on her body. She was discharged from the hospital recently, the officials added.
According to police, the woman had been residing with Paras for approximately a month in a rented facility in Neb Sarai area of south Delhi. The woman had developed a friendship with Paras over the preceding 3-4 months.
On January 30, the Neb Sarai police station received a distress call, reporting a woman being assaulted by her partner.
Responding swiftly, a police team arrived at the scene, rescued the woman, and promptly transported her to AIIMS for medical attention, officials stated. The man was arrested on February 2.
As per the woman's statement, she was planning to travel to Bengaluru for a job as a housemaid in early January. However, she halted her journey in Delhi to meet Paras, who had offered assistance in finding employment and asked her to stay in Delhi.
"When police enquired about the matter, the victim stated that she hailed from Darjeeling in West Bengal and came in contact with the accused over the phone," a senior police officer said.
Over time, Paras purportedly subjected her to physical assaults and sexual abuse for a week. In one particularly alarming incident, Paras allegedly scalded her with hot lentils, resulting in burn injuries, the police stated.
On the victim's complaint, an FIR was lodged on January 30 under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 376 (rape) and 377 (sodomy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Paras, originally from Uttarakhand, had been employed as a cook at a local eatery in Delhi.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing, authorities stated.
