Sexual harassment provoked Amboli murder,says chargesheet

“The attack has been described as brutal in the chargesheet and sexual harassment was declared as the main provocation in the case. We have charged the accused with attack with a dangerous weapon,common intention,eve-teasing and common intent,” said a senior police officer,who did not wish to be named.

The chargesheet stated that the lewd comment by Rana was the main provocation which led to an argument between the victims and the accused. Following the argument,the accused came back with three other friends- Deepak Piswal,Sunil Both and Satish Durgraj — and allegedly stabbed Santos and Fernandez. While Santos succumbed to his injuries the same night,Fernandez died a few days after the assault.

The police have also attached copies of the report of the executive magistrate,who was present at the Arthur Road Jail on November 16 when witnesses in the case had gone to identify the accused during a test-identification parade.

The forensic report of the murder weapon has also been attached in the chargesheet. The report states that traces of blood from Santos and Fernandez were found on the knife.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Pratap Dighavkar confirmed that the police had filed the chargesheet. “We have filed the chargesheet and are now waiting for the matter to come up in court. Our case is strong and we are seeking the harshest punishment for the accused,” said Dighavkar.