Families of several accused in the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman in Varanasi have raised doubts about the survivor's account, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate both the allegations and counterclaims.

The case, which has gripped national attention, involves claims that 23 individuals raped the woman at multiple locations between March 29 and April 4, 2025. A complaint was filed by the survivor’s family on April 6, leading to the arrest of 14 accused so far.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal announced that further arrests have been paused pending the SIT’s findings, which are expected within 30 days. The families of the accused submitted a memorandum alleging inconsistencies, including claims that the survivor demanded money to exclude certain names from the complaint.

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They pointed to CCTV footage allegedly showing the woman riding a bike during the period of the alleged assaults and questioned why she did not seek help or return home despite being near her residence multiple times. Social media posts purportedly showing her “laughing and roaming around” were also cited, alongside discrepancies in her court testimony, where she reportedly identified only nine of the 23 accused named initially.

Agarwal noted that when police first located the survivor, she did not mention rape or express a desire to return home, only agreeing after prolonged discussion. The SIT will now scrutinize these claims and the survivor’s allegations to ensure justice for all parties.

The case gained prominence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a recent Varanasi visit, directed officials to take the “strictest possible action” against the guilty. The survivor’s mother, expressing her daughter’s deep trauma, had sought a meeting with Modi to demand harsh punishment for the perpetrators, emphasizing the profound psychological impact on her daughter.

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