National News:TV actor Ashish Kapoor has been arrested in Pune. Earlier, he was absconding in the alleged gang rape case of a 24-year-old woman. He has now been sent to 14-day judicial custody. Police told the court that the victim's mobile, which was snatched at the time of the alleged rape, and other devices of the accused are yet to be recovered.
Case
The victim, a professional woman from Gurugram, alleged that she was invited to a house party held in Civil Lines, Delhi, on August 10. She said Ashish Kapoor and his friend took her to the washroom and raped her and recorded a video of the incident. Besides, a woman present at the party intimidated her and threatened to leak the video.
The victim's mobile phone was snatched after the incident. An FIR was filed on August 11, naming Ashish Kapoor as the main accused.
Arrest after absconding
Police said Ashish Kapoor was absconding for three weeks. He was first spotted in Goa but fled to Pune. He was finally arrested at a friend's house in Pune last Tuesday.
"We received information that he was in Goa, but he left before the team could reach there. He was later tracked down and arrested in Pune," a senior official said. On Sunday, police said Ashish Kapoor underwent medical tests at AIIMS, and the results are awaited.
The mobile phone and video still missing
The victim said the accused recorded the incident on her phone and then snatched the phone. Officials said locating the mobile is still a key part of the investigation.
"According to technical investigation, the phone was last active in the Civil Lines area. We searched the accused's house and the family's restaurant, but the phone was not found," the investigating officer said. Police are yet to search for devices at the places in Pune where Kapoor was hiding.
Change in charges
The initial FIR had named Kapoor, his friend, the friend's wife, and two others. Later, the victim changed her statement to only allege rape against Kapoor and dropped the other charges.
Actor's background
Ashish Kapoor has worked in several TV shows, including Saraswatichandra, Love Marriage Ya Arranged Marriage, Chand Chupa Badal Mein, Dekha Ek Khwaab, Molkki Rishton Ki Agnipariksha, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Woh Apna Sa, and Bandini.
