Indian woman gang-raped in fake ambulance in Haryana

The Chronify

January 18, 2026

A 26-year-old woman was gang-raped in the northern Indian state of Haryana after being lured into an ambulance by two men posing as helpers, police said. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over women’s safety in India.

According to police, the survivor-a mother of two-was waiting for transportation late at night after visiting a friend when the suspects approached her in an ambulance and offered her a lift. Instead of taking her home, they allegedly drove her to a deserted area where one of the men raped her inside the vehicle while the other stood guard outside. The attackers later pushed her out of the moving ambulance and fled the scene.

The crime occurred between the night of December 29 and the early hours of December 30. The woman was found critically injured and was taken to a hospital in Faridabad, where doctors treated her for severe head and facial injuries, multiple fractures, and trauma. She underwent several medical procedures and surgeries during her week-long hospital stay.

Police said they acted swiftly after the incident, arresting the two accused and seizing the ambulance used in the crime. The suspects were produced before a court and have been sent to judicial custody. Investigators have also sought court permission to conduct an identification parade, during which the survivor will be asked to identify the accused.

A senior police official said preliminary questioning indicates the attack was premeditated and that the suspects exploited the victim’s vulnerability by using an ambulance to gain her trust. Authorities have assured that the investigation is ongoing and that all legal procedures will be followed to ensure justice.

The case has drawn comparisons to past high-profile sexual assault cases in India and has reignited public debate over women’s safety, particularly during late-night travel. Activists and opposition leaders have condemned the attack, calling for stricter monitoring of emergency vehicles and harsher punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence.

Despite legal reforms introduced after earlier landmark cases, official data shows that sexual crimes remain a serious issue in India, with tens of thousands of rape and sexual assault cases reported each year. The latest incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger enforcement, preventive measures, and accountability to protect women from such crimes.