Swiss President Pascal Couchepin is arriving on a weeklong visit to India on Thursday, but the Delhi police have not made any headway in the investigations into the rape of a Swiss diplomat in the capital on October 15.
According to sources in the city police, all police stations in the capital are now carrying out verification of owners of licensed weapons and their immediate relatives.
Also see: Delhi, the crime capital
The young man who abducted the Swiss diplomat as she stepped out of the prestigious Siri Fort auditorium and then raped her in a car driven by his associate, was carrying a gun. The victim described him as 'well dressed, suave and English speaking.'
The rapist had lectured the victim on Indian traditions for almost 20 minutes in fluent English after the act.
All the suspects the cops had rounded up have been found to be innocent. The cops don't even know for sure if the rapist is a resident of Delhi.
Under pressure from the government, almost the city's entire police force is now involved in this case.
President Pascal Couchepin is bound to raise some difficult questions about the case when he arrives in Delhi, but with the kind information that is available with the police he is unlikely to get satisfactory answers.
During President Couchepin's stay in India, the two countries are expected to sign agreements for cooperation in disaster management and in science and technology. The Swiss president will be accompanied by a high-level delegation.
President A P J Abdul Kalam will host a banquet in his honour. Couchepin will meet with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.
Before arriving in Delhi, Couchepin will visit Bangalore to inaugurate an Indo-Swiss Scientific Seminar.
He will also make private visits to Chennai and Mahabalipuram.
Also see: Swiss official raped in Delhi
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