Pune student raped near college, 1 held

The first-year college student, from West Bengal, came to Pune six months ago and stays at the college hostel, said police. In her statement, she said she often went to the hillock to read. Around 6.45 pm, she said, a man came up from behind her. He took away her cellphone, ATM card and accessories and then allegedly gagged and raped her. He then fled the spot, she said.

DCP (Zone III) Basavraj Teli said that soon after the case was lodged, police swung into action. After zeroing in on Kamble, who was active in the hillock area, they arrested him from a temple, where he had been staying. He was booked under Sections 376, 392 of the Indian Penal Code. During interrogation, Kamble reportedly confessed to the crime. Police also recovered the student’s cellphone from him.

The hillock is visited by many walkers in the mornings and evenings. Police said Kamble had gagged the student, because of which she could not shout for help.

DCP Teli said that in view of the incident, police teams would patrol the hillock and nearby spots between 6 pm and 9 pm daily.

“We are also thinking of installing CCTV cameras at the entrances to the hillock. We are also planning to conduct awareness sessions for students of nearby colleges who often visit the hillock,” he said.