In a shocking turn of events, one of the accused in the Mangarol gang rape case has died while in police custody in Gujarat’s Surat district. Shivshankar Chaurasia, a 45-year-old man with a history of criminal activity, reportedly suffered from breathing difficulties during interrogation and later passed away at Surat Civil Hospital.
The incident stems from a heinous crime that occurred on 9th October 2024, when a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped on the outskirts of Mota Borsara village in Surat. The Surat Crime Branch swiftly identified three suspects and launched a manhunt, tracking them to Tadkeshwar village in Mandvi.
During the police operation, two suspects were apprehended while the third managed to escape. LCB PI Rajesh Bhatol told local media, “During the interrogation, the accused experienced breathing problems and was taken to Kamraj Health Center. Due to his worsening condition, he was then transferred to the Civil Hospital, where he later passed away.”
The deceased, Shivshankar Chaurasia, had a lengthy criminal record with cases registered against him in various parts of Gujarat, including Vadodara, Bharuch, and North Gujarat. His death in custody has raised questions about the interrogation process and the circumstances leading to his health deterioration.
The other accused have been presented in court, and a forensic post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of Chaurasia’s death.
The gang rape incident has sent shockwaves through the community. According to reports, the victim had come to meet her friend in Kim. Around 10:30 PM, after having ice cream, they stopped near a highway petrol pump. The assailants attacked the victim’s friend before committing the horrific crime and stealing their mobile phones.
As the investigation continues, authorities face the challenge of ensuring justice for the victim while addressing concerns about the custodial death of the accused.
