Varkala rape case: Three arrested for allegedly raping nursing student in autorickshaw

At least three people have been arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old nursing student in an autorickshaw in Kerala's Varkala, near capital Thiruvananthapuram.

The incident had taken place days after a 30-year-old Dalit law student was raped and murdered in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district.

The victim, a second year BSC nursing student, was raped by an autorickshaw driver and two of his friends near Ayanthi bridge in Varkala. She has been admitted to the ICU of a hospital.

According to NDTV, the student had told the police that she was assaulted by her friend Shyju, 24, and 25-year-old Sujith. Both the accused have been taken into custody.

A case under IPC 376 (2) (g) (gangrape) has been registered against the accused.

"Based on the statement of the girl, we registered case against three persons. A medical examination has confirmed that she was gangraped," Varkala Circle Inspector Vinod B said.

The victim had gone with an autorickshaw driver, who was known to her, in his vehicle on the day of the incident. Two of his friends also got into the vehicle later. They then took the autorickshaw to a deserted spot and allegedly raped her, police said.

The girl was in a state of shock and suffered from fits when she was found by some people who rushed to the vehicle on hearing her cries for help, they said.

(With agency inputs)