US national gang-rape: Accused remanded in judicial custody

Three Nepalese citizens, arrested for allegedly raping a 30-year-old American woman in Manali, were on Friday remanded in 10-day judicial custody by a local court.

Arjun, 22, Lucky, 24, and Som Bahadur Tamang, 24, were sent to judicial custody by the fast track court. "Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Sharma sent the accused to judicial remand till June 17," investigating officer Neel Chand said.

All the three arrested are truck drivers and were residing in Manali. The victim was raped on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday allegedly by the occupants of the truck who offered the victim a lift up to Manali from Vashisth where she had gone to meet some friends.

The medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape. The victim, who reached Manali along with three other women on Monday afternoon had alleged that she was repeatedly raped by the trio, who offered her a lift in a vehicle late in the night when she could not find a taxi on the outskirts of Manali.

The police said the accused diverted the vehicle from the main route and took the victim to secluded place and committed the crime.

In the complaint, the woman has also reported theft of cash and valuables. The victim has been requested to postpone her departure from the town by four-five days to enable the police to complete its investigation.