Journalism of Courage
The Pune police on Thursday said 79-year-old Mohiniraj Kulkarni,who was arrested for allegedly raping and murdering 10-year-old Rohini Randive at his Narayan Peth residence,has destroyed evidence related to the crime.
Kulkarni and the victims mother Rekha Randive,who was also arrested,were produced before the court on Thursday. Investigation officer senior inspector Motichand Rathod of Vishrambaug police station told the court that Kulkarni was a retired officer from Hindustan Antibiotics and used his knowledge of chemicals to clean the victims blood on the floor.
Rathod said Kulkarni cleaned the bloodstains on the floor with caustic soda and disinfectants. He then wiped the floor with a cloth. He then disposed of the cloth piece and the clothes worn by the victim at an undisclosed location. Rathod told the court that two Dettol bottles had been recovered from Kulkarnis house.
Public prosecutor Swati Dandekar sought custody extension of the suspects. Judicial magistrate (fist class) BB Pantawane remanded the suspects to police custody till November 2.
