AHMEDABAD: A security guard deployed at a residential society just six days earlier allegedly stalked, restrained and raped a 22-year-old paying guest on the building’s terrace late Saturday night — an assault that police say lasted nearly an hour, in the Anandnagar police station area.CCTV timeline shows Dharam Singh (27) taking the lift up around 7:22 pm on August 8. The woman, a student of interior design who has lived in the city for around two years, had gone up to the terrace for a walk when Singh approached her.When she resisted and tried to scream, police said he overpowered her, restrained her with a wire around her neck, and raped her. The wire prevented her from calling out for help throughout the ordeal.After the alleged assault, Singh took her mobile phone, locked her on the terrace and fled. The woman raised an alarm after he left and was rescued by residents of the floors below.
Guard seen taking lift to terrace at 7.22pm
Police are reconstructing the sequence of events using CCTV footage from the society.At around 7.22pm on August 8, Singh was seen taking the lift towards the terrace, according to investigators. Police are examining the footage to establish his movements before and after the alleged assault and to determine whether he was aware of the woman’s routine.Singh had been deployed as a security guard at the society only six days before the incident, according to police.Police said Singh had been working with different security agencies for around four years.
Ten teams launched manhunt
After receiving information about the alleged rape, police teams reached the society and began registering an FIR and examining CCTV footage.The accused had switched off his mobile phone and fled, prompting the deployment of around 10 teams comprising personnel from the local police, Local Crime Branch and Crime Branch.Investigators eventually traced Singh and arrested him near Hebatpur at around 7am-8am on Sunday, police said. His medical examination and DNA sampling were subsequently completed.Ahmedabad Police JCP Sector 1 Neeraj Badgujar said action would also be taken against the security agency that had employed Singh.An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with the alleged rape.
Accused shot in leg during recovery operation
The case took another turn late Sunday night when Singh was taken to Hebatpur for recovery of the mobile phone allegedly stolen from the victim.According to DCP Zone 7 Shivam Verma, Singh allegedly tried to escape and attempted to snatch the service pistol of an inspector, triggering a scuffle.During the struggle, a bullet was fired and struck police constable Virendra Singh. Police then fired another round while trying to overpower the accused, hitting him in the leg, the officer said.Both Singh and the constable were taken to Civil Hospital in Sola and were reported to be stable.Police said a separate case was being registered against Singh in connection with the attempt to flee and the alleged attempt to seize the police weapon.
Victim stable, under severe trauma
Police said the woman’s medical condition was stable, but she was in severe trauma following the alleged assault.Investigators are recording her statement and examining whether Singh knew her routine or had been observing her movements.Police are also examining the circumstances under which the accused was hired and whether the security agency completed the required verification and registration checks.The investigation into the alleged rape and the security agency’s role is continuing.
