Gang-rape case: Police verifying accused criminal antecedents

Police are verifying if the spurned suitor and his three associates, arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 25-year-old woman before burning her alive in Antop Hill area, had any criminal antecedents.

"We are verifying if the four accused have any criminal background. Probe is on to establish the exact motive behind the crime," senior inspector D N Deokar of Antop Hill police station told PTI.

The victim, a mother of two, was allegedly gangraped and burnt alive by four men at her residence in Adarsh Gharkul building in Antop Hill locality of central Mumbai on Monday. She succumbed to injuries at a city hospital during treatment.
       
Later, police arrested Rajesh Devendra (30), Kumar Devendra (28), Nitya Devendra (25) -- (all three are brothers) -- and their friend Shankar Mudaliyar (35) on charges of gangrape and murder.

Police are also verifying if the accused Nitya, who wanted to marry the victim had troubled and harrassed her for rejecting his proposal, as claimed by her family members.

"We are taking note of what the family members are saying. We are probing the matter from all possible angles," the officer added.

Post mortem and medical reports are still awaited, the officer said.