Eight Arrested in Siraha Gang Rape and Death Case, Four Still on the Run

Siraha police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the gang rape and suspicious death of 17-year-old Rinku Kumari Sada from Bhagawatipur, Nawaraj Rural Municipality-1. Authorities have also made public the identities of six of the accused, while four others remain at large.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Birendra Kumar Paswan, the primary suspect, Rupesh Mandal, is believed to have masterminded the crime. 

The incident happened on the night of February 9 when Sada went outside her home in Nawarajpur Rural Municipality and was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped by three local men, including Mandal. 

Instead of going to the police, local leaders held a village meeting (panchayat) on February 11 and 12. They fined the accused Rs 140,000 and stopped Sada’s family from reporting the crime.

As threats against her family increased, Sada was found hanging in her home on February 12 raising suspicions of a foul play. At first, the police registered the case as suicide, but after media coverage and public outrage, they expanded the investigation.

Others arrested for their involvement in the mediation include Ram Kripal Mandal, Bindeshwor Shah, Rajendra Mandal, Chandeshwor Mandal, Rambinod Mandal, and Kamalesh Das.

Per police reports, Chandeshwor Mandal, Ram Binod Mandal, and Kamalesh Das were arrested on February 23, while the prime suspect, Rupesh Mandal, was apprehended on March 5. The remaining suspects were tracked down and arrested from different hideouts on Friday.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are actively searching for the remaining fugitives.