Ayanavaram rape case: 17 accused held under Goondas Act

As per the orders of the Chennai City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan, all the 17 persons who are facing the charge of sexually exploiting the girl at an apartment complex in the city, were detained under the Goondas Act.

When asked if the accused could use the detention as an excuse to get bail like Dashwanth, who was arrested for molestation-murder of a six-year-old girl last year, a senior officer said that it was not possible.

“Usually, sexual offenders will not be granted bail easily. Also, the Goondas Act is applied not just for repeat offenders but based on various factors. We can’t wait till the sexual offenders to commit another crime and take action,” said the officer.

The incident came to light on July 17 when the victim narrated her seven-month-long ordeal to her elder sister, who had come home on a vacation from Delhi, leading to the arrest of 17 people that including security guards, lift operators, electricians and plumbers. All the 17 accused, in the age group of 23 to 66 years, were mostly services staff of the apartment complex.