Police have arrested five people in connection with the gang-rape of a college student in Mysuru, Karnataka. The incident has caused outrage against the state government and led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.

The college student was gang-raped near Chamundi foothills, a popular tourist spot on the outskirts of Mysuru on August 24, where she had gone with a male classmate, who was also assaulted by the gang. The accused, who were drunk, also demanded Rs three lakh from the duo for not making public the video of the rape, according to a PTI report quoting police sources. The accused are residents of Sathyamangalam in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, while a sixth accused is still on the run.

The accused, who are in their mid-20s, are habitual offenders already facing robbery and various other criminal charges.

A police officer quoted by The Times of India said the the accused, who work as daily-wagers, would often visit Mysuru to rob people including young couples and women.

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The victim was discharged from hospital after three days late on Friday and is said to have returned to hometown Mumbai. Her classmate was discharged on Wednesday.

While Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that police had succeeded in cracking the case, the horrific incident has led to a political row in the state over Jnanendra’s remarks that the victim and her male friend should not have gone to the “deserted place.”

“Around 7-7.30 pm (on Tuesday), they (the student and her friend) had gone there… it is a deserted place. They should not have gone but we can’t stop anyone from going… It is a deserted place and no one usually goes there as no one will be there,” the Jnanendra told the media.

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The minister then went on to compare the Congress‘ protests against his remarks to “an inhuman act” and said the Opposition party was “trying to rape him” and gain political mileage out of the incident.

Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai was quick to distance himself from Jnanendra’s comments. Karnataka Congress chief DK Sivakumar attacked the home minister for “using the word ‘rape’ very lightly.”

Earlier, Bommai had said five police teams were investigating the assault on the 22-year-old MBA student and her classmate. Karnataka police chief Praveen Sood also confirmed that five accused have been arrested, while efforts are on to nab the sixth.