More men have been arrested in connection with the gang rape of a Spanish tourist in India, bringing the total number of detainees to eight. The attack occurred in the Dumka district of the eastern state of Jharkhand while the couple was camping. Police officers were seen leading the suspects, handcuffed and tied together, in front of seated police officers.
Three other men, with sacks over their heads, appeared in court on Monday and were remanded in custody. A total of eight arrests have been made in connection with the alleged gang rape, according to police officers. The couple has been provided with a compensation cheque of $12,000 under a victim compensation scheme, as reported by NDTV.
India has seen a high rate of reported rapes in recent years, with nearly 90 cases reported per day in 2022. However, many cases go unreported due to societal stigmas and lack of faith in police investigations. Convictions for rape remain rare in India’s overwhelmed criminal justice system.
The gang rape and murder of Indian student Jyoti Singh in 2012 brought international attention to the issue of sexual violence in India. The brutal crime led to nationwide protests and eventually led to changes in the law, including the death penalty for rape.