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Two men in Australian custody, charged with rape

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IANS Sydney

Two Indian men, who allegedly blackmailed, abducted and raped an Australian woman, will remain in custody till Oct 22, an Australian court has ruled.

The woman Sep 25 accepted a friend-request through a mobile application from a man, who purported to be 24 years old, Detective Senior Constable Peter Maguire told the ACT Magistrates Court Saturday.

The police suspect that they planned to abduct the woman after she agreed to meet the man at Kippax Fair shopping centre Sep 26, reports the Canberra Times.

Maguire said police are still attempting to locate the third man, who sent her the request on Tango chat.

 

One of the men, Randhir Singh, allegedly approached the woman when she arrived in the shopping centre.

He allegedly blackmailed the woman, saying he would show the message to her husband, when she refused to go with him. He also threatened about her child's safety and welfare.

She was allegedly sexually assaulted on the drive from Kippax to Belconnen and in an apartment on Chandler Street by Ajit Pal Singh and Randhir Singh.

Ajit Pal Singh, 31, was charged with abduction, unlawful confinement, an act of indecency and sexual intercourse without consent.

Co-accused Randhir Singh, 20, was charged with abduction, acts of indecency, intercourse without consent and unlawfully detaining the woman.

Maguire said forensic investigations are continuing.

The prosecution opposed bail but the lawyers of the two men sought their release.

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First Published: Oct 13 2013 | 4:08 PM IST

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