Second accused in Bopdev ghat rape case sent to judicial custody

The custody of Akhtar Babu Shaikh (27) alias Shoaib, who was arrested by the Pune city police crime branch from Prayagraj on October 14, ended on Tuesday. Shaikh is the second accused to be arrested in the case after Chandrakumar Raviprasad Kanojiya (20), a native of Dindori in Madhya Pradesh (MP), who was arrested on October 10 and is already in prison under judicial custody.

On Tuesday, Shaikh was produced before a court in Pune where the police sought that he be sent to judicial custody saying they were reserving the right to seek further custody if and when required for the purpose of investigation. The court sent Shaikh to judicial custody for 14 days.

Earlier, The Indian Express reported that the Pune city police sought appointment of a special public prosecutor in the case and also pressed for the trial to be conducted in a fast-track manner.

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