‘I thought we were going to die,’ says Spanish travel vlogger as Jharkhand Police look for remaining rape accused

Jharkhand Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh had earlier told The Indian Express that all seven accused had been identified and that four had been arrested.

On Sunday, the woman, a 28-year-old travel vlogger, pointed out bruise marks on her face in a post on social media. “My face looks like this, but it’s not what hurts me the most. I thought we were going to die. Thank God we are alive,” she said in the post.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dumka Superintendent of Police Pitamber Kherwar said, “The statements of all the arrested accused are being recorded.” Police did not give any information regarding the accused.

According to police sources, at around 11 pm on Friday, a patrol team came across a couple who were unable to speak Hindi or English.

“Looking at them, it seemed that something unpleasant had happened to them. While taking him to the hospital, it was revealed that (they were) on their way to Nepal from West Bengal, and had reached Kurmahat village of Hansdiha police station at 5 pm and spent the night in a forest near Kunji Basti, about 2 kilometres from Kurmahat village,” the source said.

The couple had then set up a temporary camp to rest, but a group of “anti-social elements” then reached their camp, the source said.

“It is noteworthy that the couple had not informed the local police or administration that they were setting up camp in Kurmahat forest. As soon as information about the incident was received, immediate action was taken… An SIT has been formed under the leadership of Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Jarmundi, to arrest the accused. The accused will be arrested soon. Evidence is being collected scientifically by the FSL team,” the police source added.