Police will seek court permission for an identification parade involving the three men accused of gang-raping an IIT-BHU student on the campus at gunpoint.

"We shall apply to the trial court for an identification parade of the accused in the Varanasi district jail in the presence of a magistrate. We hope to complete the process by the end of this month," a police officer was quoted as saying to reporters in Varanasi.

"The victim has already identified them from their photographs. But a physical identification would make it easier for the prosecution to demand the highest possible punishment."

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders have alleged that the accused worked for the IT cell of the BJP’s Varanasi unit, and had campaigned for the party during the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.

Photos purportedly showing the accused with many national-level BJP leaders have been circulating on social media. However, BJP leaders in Varanasi have denied any links between the party and the accused.

The student was allegedly attacked while she was taking a stroll outside her hostel on the campus with a male classmate on November 1 night. The accused, who came on a motorbike, allegedly shot a video of the crime on their mobile phones.