Second accused in Bopdev Ghat gangrape case sent to police custody till Oct 22

Shaikh is the second accused to be arrested in the case after Chandrakumar Raviprasad Kanojiya (20), a native of Dindori in Madhya Pradesh (MP). A co-ordinate manhunt continues for the third suspect in the case, whose preliminary identity has been established by the investigators.

A 21-year-old woman and her friend had gone to Bopdev Ghat area on a motorcycle on the night of October 3. Around 11pm, three men came to the spot on their bikes and allegedly threatened them with sharp weapons and robbed their valuables. Police said the accused men tied the woman’s friend with his shirt and belt, dragged the woman to an isolated area and raped her.

Police said CCTV footage captured at a petrol pump and a hotel provided clear images of the accused. Probe revealed all three accused in the rape case had been arrested in theft cases that took place outside Pune in the past. Probe also revealed that Shaikh was previously arrested in another case of rape and molestation of a minor girl in Pune.

Investigating officer inspector Yuvraj Hande produced Shaikh before a court in Pune. Assistant Public Prosecutor Amrapali Kasture sought his police custody. While seeking Shaikh’s police custody, the police told the court that they were collecting DNA samples of the accused—blood, nails, hair and saliva—as the crucial forensic evidence for investigation in the case.

Police said they were yet to recover the machete used by the accused for the crime and the bike they used to travel to and from the crime spot. Police are yet to recover the jewellery robbed from the victim. Earlier, the police recovered the wooden stick used by the accused.

Police said they also want to probe the whereabouts of Shaikh when he was on the run and if he received help from anyone in doing so.