Kerala: 19-year-old Dalit nursing student gangraped in autorickshaw

Thiruvananthapuram: A 19-year-old Dalit nursing student was allegedly gangraped in Varkala, days after the rape and brutal murder of a law student in Kerala's Ernakulam district that sparked protests by students and rights activists.

The victim, a second year BSC nursing student, was raped by an autorickshaw driver and two of his friends near Ayanthi bridge in Varkala, about 50 km from here, on Tuesday. She has been admitted to the ICU of a hospital, police said on Wednesday.

A case under IPC 376 (2) (g) (gangrape) was registered against the accused, who are absconding, police said, adding, her statement will be recorded before a magistrate today.

"Based on the statement of the girl, we registered case against three persons. A medical examination has confirmed that she was gangraped," Varkala Circle Inspector Vinod B said.

The victim had gone with an autorickshaw driver, who was known to her, in his vehicle on the day of the incident. Two of his friends also got into the vehicle later. They then took the autorickshaw to a deserted spot and allegedly raped her, police said.

The girl was in a state of shock and suffered from fits when she was found by some people who rushed to the vehicle on hearing her cries for help, they said.

A team of expert doctors is monitoring the condition of the girl, who was admitted to the ICU of the SAT hospital at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College here late night from a private hospital in Varkala. Hospital sources said her condition is stable.

"Doctors are frequently monitoring her health condition, which is stable now. Visitors are strictly prohibited," SAT hospital superintendent said here in a release.

A large number of nurses took out a protest march here expressing solidarity with the victim and demanding speedy action to nab the accused.

Members of Kerala Government Nurses Association and Kerala Government Student Nurses Association gathered in front of the state Secretariat and raised slogans.

Research students of Kerala University here also held a march demanding justice to the gang rape victim and also to the Dalit law student, who was raped and killed in Perumbavoor in Kochi.

The incident comes days after a 30-year-old Dalit law student was raped and murdered in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district.

Read: Dalit law student raped, murdered in poll-bound Kerala