The release of four minors of the five accused marks a turn in the case, which now appears to be mired in allegations of fabrication and ulterior motives.
TFM Report
In a significant development in the controversial case of an alleged gang rape involving students of a University in Guwahati, four minors of the five accused have reportedly been released from the Observation Home in Kamrup. The release was ordered by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) of Kamrup, Guwahati, after their parents/wards signed strict undertakings, effectively placing the juveniles back in their care.
One of the orders directs the Superintendent of the Observation Home to release one minor accused upon the execution of a bail bond. The order explicitly states that the release is conditional and only applicable if the minor is not wanted in any other cases. This procedure is standard for minors involved in legal proceedings under the law.
The case, registered as PGR P.S Case No. 125/2025 under sections 70(1)/3(5) BNS and additional sections 74/Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, had sparked a firestorm on social media after allegations surfaced that five students from Manipur had raped a student hailing from Tripura.
The Undertaking: Strict Conditions for Release
The release is not unconditional. The parents or guardians were required to execute a detailed bond (Form V), a copy of which has been reviewed. This legal document binds them to a set of stringent conditions for the care and supervision of the minors. Key obligations include:
* Not changing their place of residence without prior written intimation to the JJB.
* Not removing the juvenile from the JJB’s jurisdiction without written permission.
* Ensuring the juvenile attends school or an approved vocation regularly.
* Producing the juvenile before the Board immediately upon demand.
* Reporting any failure of the juvenile to follow the Board’s orders or any uncontrollable behaviour.
The undertaking, signed before the Principal Magistrate of the JJB, Kamrup, effectively makes the parents responsible for the minor’s good behaviour and appearance in court as required.
Summary of FIR
The complainant reported that her neighbour, the first accused along with three others invited her to a party. After consuming a few drinks, she went home, took her bipolar medication, and passed out.
The complainant stated that when she woke up around 8:15 AM on 14 September 2025, she found one of them “raping her”, followed by the other three accused—who she also accused of raping her.
Based on her statement, the case was registered under Sections 70(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The investigation has been assigned to an office of Pragjyotishpur Police Station.
Allegations of Fabricated Case
While the legal process for the minors and apparently one student who is not a minor, moves forward, an independent investigation and student briefings, as reported by sources, paint a starkly different picture from the initial viral narrative. The allegations, which were rapidly amplified by social media pages, are now being seriously questioned.
According to independent findings, there has been a discussion on whether or not it was a case of “consensual encounter turned extortion attempt.” The incident is alleged to have begun as a consensual encounter between the alleged female student victim, who is reported to be an adult born in 2003 and not a minor as initially claimed. Police is said to be investigation whether or not the alleged victim demanded some money. It is being alleged that when the payment was not made, she, with the help of friends posing as her brothers, attempted to pressure the boy. After this failed, the formal rape allegation was lodged with the police, said one of the sources close to the parents of the accused.
Police reports suggest that at least three of the five accused minors were found to be completely innocent. Now only one remains in detention, but no concrete evidence of rape or non-consensual activity has been substantiated as of now.
The narrative was allegedly amplified by certain groups seeking to exploit existing ethnic tensions in Manipur. “The false story, claiming a minor was drugged and raped, was spread to defame the entire students from Manipur”, said an observer on condition of anonymity.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the devastating real-world consequences of misinformation and potentially false allegations. The identities and images of the accused were circulated widely online, causing irreparable damage to their reputations.
While society must remain vigilant in combating sexual assault and ensuring justice for genuine victims, this incident underscores how a reportedly false-accusations can not only destroy the lives of the innocent but also undermine the credibility of real survivors. The release of four minors of the five accused marks a turn in the case, which now appears to be mired in allegations of fabrication and ulterior motives. At the end of the day, the legal proceedings will continue to determine the final outcome.