Psychology trainee alleges rape by fellow student in Ranchi, police register FIR

Ranchi, Oct 5 (IANS) The Jharkhand Police have registered a case of alleged rape of a psychology trainee at the prestigious Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Ranchi’s Kanke area and launched an investigation, officials said on Monday.

According to the complaint lodged with Kanke police station, the woman said she was working as a trainee in clinical psychology at the institute and was residing in the institute’s postgraduate hostel. A fellow hostel resident, identified as Sarthak Choudhary, was pursuing an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology and staying in Room No 54 of the same hostel.

The complaint states that hostel regulations permitted students to visit each other’s rooms.

According to the allegations, on the night of June 28, at around 10 p.m., the woman trainee allegedly visited Choudhary’s room for study and practice related to psychological assessment exercises.

The survivor alleged that after spending some time studying in the room, she suddenly felt dizzy. During this period, the accused reportedly offered her water from a steel bottle.

She initially hesitated to drink it but eventually did so after repeated insistence from him, she said in the complaint.

According to the FIR, her condition deteriorated shortly after consuming the water. The accused then allegedly advised her to rest on the bed. The survivor alleged that when she resisted and attempted to leave the room, he raped her.

Following the incident, she approached the police seeking justice.

Based on her complaint, Kanke police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation into the matter. Police are questioning the accused and examining available evidence.

Investigators are also recording the survivor’s statement and scrutinising the scene of the alleged crime and other relevant material.

Police said further legal action will be taken after completion of the investigation.

–IANS

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