Ludhiana: Shocking developments have emerged in the case of a 21-year-old college student who was held captive and gang-raped around Isewal village in Punjab's Ludhiana district. A preliminary investigation into the matter has revealed that the incident took place on Saturday night when more than a dozen men intercepted a car with the woman and a friend onboard.

The accused then reportedly dragged the two out of the vehicle and took turns to rape the woman. Both the woman and her friend were held captive till Sunday. Upon being released, the two lodged an official police complaint following which they were taken to the Civil Hospital. A medical examination of the woman confirmed gang-rape, said officials familiar with the matter.

However, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ranbir Singh Khatra on Tuesday told that investigators suspect the involvement of 15-16 people in the heinous crime. He said that Punjab police has released sketches of the suspects and have arrested two people accused of the crime. He also said that another six of the suspects have been identified and a search operation has been launched to nab them and bring them to justice.

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Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident and has initiated a three-member fact-finding team to probe the matter. Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission, M Gulati also told media outlets that the body has sought a report from senior police officers in Ludhiana by tomorrow concerning the investigation into the matter.

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