Pune: In a significant development in the Bopdev Ghat rape case, the police have seized crucial evidence—a stick and clothes—that were allegedly used by the accused to threaten the victim and her friend.
The main accused, Chandrakumar Raviprasad Kanojia (20), has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the court, while the police retain the right to conduct an identification parade.
Kanojia, a resident of Undri in Pune and originally from Dindori in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested a week after the incident, which took place on October 3 at Table Point, Bopdev Ghat.
Kanojia and his accomplice, Akhtar Babu Sheikh, were accused of gang-raping a young woman and terrorizing her friend. While Kanojia was apprehended earlier, Sheikh was caught by the Pune Crime Branch on October 14 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The police are still hunting for a third suspect involved in the crime.
Kanojia had previously been in police custody for three days. On October 15, he was presented before the Wanwadi court, where the First-Class Magistrate A. A. Kulkarni ordered his remand to judicial custody for 14 days.
According to the police, the accused had been wandering in the Bopdev Ghat area with the intention of robbery before committing the sexual assault. Samples, including the accused’s DNA, blood, hair, nails, and saliva, have been sent for medical testing to corroborate the charges.
The crime scene has been inspected, and the police have seized samples from the location. The police will be conducting an identification parade where the victim and her friend will identify both Kanojia and Sheikh.
Additionally, a joint interrogation of all accused, including the third suspect, is expected to take place soon. The police requested judicial custody for Kanojia to retain the right to conduct the parade and further investigations.
Public prosecutor Amrapali Kasture and Investigating Officer Police Inspector Yuvraj Hande presented the case in court, while Advocate Rahul Lonandkar represented the defense.
