Student 'raped with wire around her neck' by security guard just 6 days into job

A 22-year-old student was allegedly raped by a security guard as she was restrained with a wire around her neck on Saturday night. The interior design student, who had been studying in Jodhpur for two years, is said to have gone to the terrace of the flat building for a walk.

The accused allegedly approached her, but when she refused his advances, he is understood to have assaulted her, restrained her with a wire around her neck and raped her. Dharm Singh, 27, who began working at the society just six days prior to the alleged incident, was arrested in Hardoi, India, on Sunday.

Police said the horrific alleged assault lasted nearly an hour and that she had tried to scream for help, but the wire prevented her from doing so.

After he fled, taking her phone and locking her out on the terrace, the woman raised alarm and was rescued by residents living on the floors below.

Police were informed when she was taken to hospital. While the woman’s physical condition is stable, she is understood to be experiencing severe trauma.

The arrested man had worked at different security agencies for the past four years and is understood to have been deployed to this job just six days prior. CCTV footage allegedly showed him taking the lift to the terrace around the time of the incident.

Police will take a statement from the woman and establish if the guard knew her routine. The security agency will be questioned about the registration of the arrested man.

Anti-rape campaigners believe the actual number is much higher, saying that many cases go unreported due to societal stigma, as victims fear being blamed and shamed.

Convicts can be sentenced to the death penalty in severe cases after tougher anti-rape laws were introduced, following the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in 2012 in Delhi, who tragically died from her injuries.

If you have been affected by any themes in this story, you can call Rape Crisis for free 24 hours a day on 0808 500 2222. You can also visit the website to start a free online chat.