Ahmednagar rape case: Women try to attack 2 accused in court 

Ahmednagar: A group of women on Monday tried to attack two accused in the minor girl gangrape and murder case on the premises of the district sessions court here. The incident occurred when Santosh Bhawal and Nitin Bhailume were being taken to the court by police personnel, police said.

The duo, arrested within days after the incident which occurred on July 13, were produced before Additional Judge S V Mane who extended their police custody until July 30.

Kotwali police station inspector, Somnath Malkar said “around six women, led by one Smita Ashtekar, tried to kick and punch the duo when they were taken to the court room. The women also hurled bricks and chappals at the duo, but missed the target.”

However, the police personnel escorting Bhawal and Bahilume managed to take them away even as a woman police sub-inspector sustained a minor injury while protecting the duo.

Another accused in the case, Jitendra Shinde will be produced before the court on Wednesday on expiry of his police custody.

The 15-year-old girl was brutally raped on July 13, allegedly by three men who inflicted injuries all over her body and broke her limbs before throttling her at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar, sparking a huge outrage.

All political parties have been protesting against the crime which also rocked the ongoing Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and led to protests in many cities.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also heads the Home ministry, visited the family members of the deceased in the village on Sunday and assured strongest action against the accused. Besides announcing fast-tracking of the case, the government had already appointed noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor.

The probe is currently handled by Pune city police Commissioner Rashmi Shukla.

PTI