Dahod murder: Court extends police custody of accused principal

Considering the remand application filed by the police, which also emphasised on investigating the “personality and habits” of the accused principal to determine if he has “previously been involved in any similar unreported crimes”, the court granted the extension.

During the four-day custody that was granted earlier on Monday, the police had conducted the reconstruction of the sequence of events on the day of the crime — right from the home of the accused to the school where the body of the girl was found. Police said the 58-year-old accused smothered the girl after she resisted a rape bid.

Dahod district Superintendent of Police Rajdeepsinh Zala told The Indian Express, “The case is sensitive and we are dealing with caution. Our main ground for extension of remand was that the accused had remained uncooperative during the interrogation… Before we file the chargesheet in the case, we need to investigate all the aspects…We are exploring if there was any enmity, his personality traits as well as the daily routine by way of which we can also ascertain if there are any other unreported complaints against him of similar nature.”

On Friday, as the family of the victim organised a prayer meeting at their residence in the village, Gujarat Education Minister Kuber Dindor visited them to offer condolences. He was accompanied by BJP MP Jaswantsinh Bhabhor and Limkheda MLA Shailesh Bhabhor.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), in a statement, said that the accused “was associated with the VHP earlier, but since the last two years, he has been relieved of all responsibilities.” This comes following allegations by the Gujarat Congress over the accused’s alleged connections with the VHP.