NEW DELHI, Jan 2, (Agencies): A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped by five men near a shopping mall in Noida. Three suspects have been arrested while two others, including the key accused who is a local strongman, are still at large, the police said.

The alleged gang-rape took place some time back, but the complainant did not immediately report the matter to the police as the perpetrators were "dabang" (strong men) people, the police said in a statement.

However, she approached the police on December 30 after being blackmailed and harassed by the accused once again, the statement added.

"An FIR was lodged at the Sector 39 police station on December 30, after which an investigation was taken up and three of the accused were arrested," a police spokesperson said, reported news agency PTI.

"Those held have been identified as Rajkumar, Aazad and Vikas. Two other suspects, Ravi and Mehmi are at large and efforts are underway to arrest them," the spokesperson said.

The arrested accused have been produced in a local court which remanded them in judicial custody, the police added.