All accused in West Bengal gang-rape arrested

All the 13 accused in the gangrape of a tribal woman in Birbhum, including the village head who had allegedly given the orders for rape, have been arrested, West Bengal government said today.

"I have spoken to the Superintendent of Police and arrests have been made. All the 13 including the village head have been arrested," West Bengal Minister for Women and Child Shashi Panja said today.

She said all medical tests have been conducted today.

The Minister said if the woman wishes to go back to her home security will be looked after. If she does not want to go, then we have identified a home for her, she said.

The woman was allegedly gangraped at Labhpur in Birbhum district by the 13 persons on Tuesday night after the panchayat head gave orders for the rape since she had was in love with a man from another community.

Her family filed a complaint with the Labhpur police station that the incident happened following a meeting by her community leaders who decided to mete out the 'punishment' for her 'crime' of being in love with someone outside her community.