3 held in Japanese tourist rape case

The Gaya police arrested three of the five accused of raping a Japanese tourist near Bodh Gaya on Friday.

Gaya Superintendent of Police Sushil Khopde identified the arrested men as Anuj alias Lutan, Pappu Kumar, from Amwan village in Bodh Gaya, and Uday, Pappu's cousin.

The Japanese tourist had taken an autorickshaw for bus stand and was waylaid by the driver. Three of the accused had followed them in another auto and raped her.

Pappu owned the auto hired by the woman and Anuj was the driver. Uday, employed with a private company in Gujarat, was on leave home. The police claim that the three have confessed to the crime. The other accused - Pintu, who goes by one name, and Rajan Yadav - are absconding.

The SP said on Sunday the chargesheet would be submitted soon and an identification parade carried out. Forensic experts have also reached Gaya to collect evidence.

Police recovered 2,300 yen, Rs 2,500, a cellphone and woman' s two credit cards from the accused. Her passport, however, has not been found.

Auto drivers I-cards

The district administration has decided to issue laminated identity cards to all auto rickshaw drivers operating between Bodh Gaya and Gaya.

With the huge influx of foreign tourists in Bodh Gaya and other adjoining areas, the administration will initially implement the safety measure in Bodh Gaya, district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh said.