Jaipur rape accused, a psychopath with history of crime, arrested
What's the story
Five days after the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl in Jaipur shook the city, Rajasthan Police have arrested the accused, who has a history of sexual crimes. The accused was arrested from Kota. Notably, the girl was abducted from near her home in Jaipur's Shastri Nagar locality, raped, and later dropped at the same spot on Monday, triggering massive outrage across the city.
Details
Accused arrested from Bhimganj Mandi in Kota
The accused, identified as Sikandar alias Jivanu (35), was arrested from Kota when he attempted to meet an acquaintance, a tea-stall owner, in Bhimganj Mandi area upon running out of money, Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Srivastava told The Indian Express. According to the police, Sikandar also confessed to abducting and raping a four-year-old in the same area on June 22, as suspected.
Quote
He is of a perverted mind and a psychopath: Srivastava
"We have come to know that he has a history of sexual crimes and preliminary investigation suggests that he is of a perverted mind and a psychopath," Srivastava told TIE. "We're investigating to know about any other possible cases he might have been involved in."
Past crimes
Accused convicted in 11-year-old boy's rape, murder in 2004
Srivastava said the accused had raped and murdered an 11-year-old boy in January 2004 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Released in 2015, he committed a few thefts and burglaries. "On November 2017, the accused was caught molesting two minor girls. When the police were informed, he assaulted an assistant sub-inspector. He was later arrested from Ajmer but jumped custody," Srivastava added.
Investigation
12 police teams searched in different areas across Rajasthan
Srivastava told The Hindu the CCTV obtained from the crime scene wasn't of much help, so they relied on criminal informants for the investigation. They set up 12 police teams to conduct searches in different areas across Rajasthan and reportedly, found clues that Sikandar was holed-up in Kota. Further, he said the accused had no family and was a "drifter," complicating the investigation.
History
7-year-old's rape had triggered violence; internet shutdown in Jaipur
The minor's rape had triggered violent protests across Jaipur as the incident started to take a communal color. A mob demanding the accused's arrest pelted stones at homes and damaged over 60 vehicles. When the police intervened, the mob clashed with officials. Consequently, the internet was temporarily suspended in various regions to prevent fake news from spreading out and inciting more violence.