NEW DELHI, OCT 16 - A Nepali student at National Law School in the southern Indian city of Bangalore was ' gang-rape d' on Saturday night, police said. The incident was revealed on Monday morning after the victim in her early twenties registered a first information report with Jnanabharathi Police Station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) in Bangalore, SN Siddaramappa, told the Post over the phone that search for the culprits had been intensified. "We have arrested a number of suspects. However, their involvement could not be immediately established," he added.

Siddaramappa informed that the police were waiting for the victim's medical reports. "Results of the medical tests are important but they are not the only criteria to establish that rape has taken place. The victim's statement is the most important thing--she has reported that she was gang-rape d and, hence, we are moving ahead on that basis," said Siddaramappa.

Police have notified the Nepali embassy in New Delhi about the incident. Embassy officials immediately talked to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, requesting authorities to look into the matter seriously.

"After receiving the information, we have talked to the concerned officials and urged them to bring the culprits to book as soon as possible," said Tirtha Raj Wagle, counsellor at the Nepali embassy.

In the complaint lodged with the police, the victim is said to have stated that she was raped by a gang of eight miscreants. The gang attacked her male companion during a walk, before dragging her to an isolated place to rape, Indian media have reported.