Lingtam assault victim adds attempt to rape and attempt to murder to allegations against accused

GANGTOK, 01 March: “New allegations leveled by the victim have come up in the Lingtam case where a woman was assaulted, stripped and paraded by a group of villagers on 12 February,” informed DIG [Range], N Sridhar Rao, while speaking to NOW! today.

The victim, understandably traumatized by her ordeal, was apparently not able to think clearly when she had first reported the incident, but now that she has regained her composure to some extent, has leveled more detailed allegations which include attempt to rape, attempt to murder and also theft, it is learnt.
The lady in question, a widow, was subjected to this disturbing attack by a family of neighbours at her village at Lingtam near Rongli in East Sikkim.
Today, she was presented before the Magistrate to record her statement [under section 164 of the CrPC], and has now been given 24 hours to rethink and make up her mind on her statement. Tomorrow, 02 March, the Magistrate will record her formal statement, it is learnt.
“Based on the statement she makes, we will see what further action needs to be taken on the case,” the DIG said, adding that the police will also include new sections of the Indian Penal Code to the existing ones under which the accused had been booked earlier. At present all the accused are out on bail.
[AMEET OBEROI]