India
oi-Swastika Sruti
The case of sexual assault and extortion involving a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy who were victims at an abandoned residential skyscraper in Sector 78, Faridabad, has been followed up with money trails.
Police traced ₹10,000 extorted via UPI after a sexual assault on minors in Faridabad’s abandoned Sector 78 skyscraper on August 27. Three suspects, including a security guard, were arrested, with a fourth fugitive sought; recovered phones may contain video evidence.
As per reports from the police, the money that was extorted from the victims, totaling ₹10,000, was sent using UPI and then spent by one of the accused. Four accused are on the run with three being caught.
This incident occurred on August 27 in a 16-floor skyscraper which is abandoned due to litigation issues that have been going on for years now.
Police Trace ₹10,000 Through UPI
The investigators stated that they scrutinized the financial transactions relating to the bank account of the victim and tracked the flow of the extortion money.
One of the officers who was part of the probe revealed that the accused had moved the money from the phone of the boy to their bank account.
The police stated that the accused had reportedly spent the amount on food, alcohol, and shopping within a few days after taking the amount.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sarai) Sandeep Mor revealed that the accused working as a security guard had admitted to spending the money.
The police are now examining the entire bank statement to get an idea about the expenditure of the money and all the related transactions.
Security Guard Among Those Arrested
According to investigators, the suspect accused of taking the money was working as a security guard at the entrance of the residential complex.
The housing project has reportedly remained incomplete for years because of ongoing litigation, leaving parts of the property unoccupied.
Police said the guard allegedly used his position at the entrance to facilitate access to the premises.
Three suspects were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the case. Police later recovered the phones of three of the four suspects.
Police Recover Phones, Examine Alleged Video
Investigators said a preliminary examination of the recovered phones indicated that the accused had allegedly recorded the incident. Police are now sending the devices and the alleged video material for forensic examination.
Investigators said the material could be important evidence because the faces of the suspects are reportedly visible in it.
Authorities are also examining the phones to establish the sequence of events and determine the role played by each accused.
The alleged video is being treated as evidence and police have not disclosed its contents.
Fourth Suspect Still On The Run
While three suspects have been arrested, police are continuing their search for a fourth accused.
Three teams have been formed to locate him. One team reportedly visited his residence in Faridabad on Saturday evening but found the house locked.
Police suspect that the accused may have left Haryana.
Two other teams have been conducting searches outside the state based on information about his possible whereabouts.
Forensic Examination Underway
Forensic experts have collected several exhibits from the fifth floor of the 16-storey building, where the alleged incident took place.
The recovered material will be examined as part of the investigation.
Police are also analysing the mobile phones and financial records to build a complete picture of the case.
Officials said investigators believe they have strong evidence against the arrested suspects, but the evidence will be subject to forensic examination and the legal process.
