Authorities investigating the Bopdev Ghat gang rape case in Pune have intensified their probe by ordering DNA testing and a physical capability examination for the accused. This move comes as part of a comprehensive effort to gather scientific evidence and establish the involvement of all suspects in the crime.
The third accused in the high-profile Bopdev Ghat case, Suraj alias Bapu Dashrath Gosavi, was recently arrested after months on the run. Following his arrest, Pune police produced him before the court, which remanded him to police custody until May 2, 2025, to facilitate further investigation. Police have informed the court that they will conduct a medical examination, a DNA test, and recover the clothes worn by the accused at the time of the incident. These steps are crucial for matching biological evidence collected from the crime scene and the survivor’s clothing with the DNA profiles of the accused.
In addition to DNA testing, police will also assess the physical capability of the accused. This examination is intended to determine whether the accused had the physical ability to commit the crime as described by the survivor. Such scientific and medical evaluations are increasingly being used in sensitive cases to strengthen the prosecution’s case and ensure justice for the victim.
The case, which has sparked public outrage, involves the alleged gang rape of a 21-year-old woman by three men at Bopdev Ghat on the outskirts of Pune on October 3, 2024. The accused reportedly threatened the survivor and her friend with weapons, robbed them, and then committed the assault. Police have already seized weapons and clothing used during the crime, and DNA samples-including blood, hair, nail, and saliva-have been sent for forensic analysis.
The Bopdev Ghat case highlights the importance of forensic science in modern criminal investigations. DNA testing and physical capability assessments provide objective evidence that can corroborate the survivor’s account and link the accused to the crime, making it harder for perpetrators to evade justice.
As the investigation progresses, police are also probing whether anyone sheltered the accused while he was absconding and are working to recover additional evidence, including stolen jewelry and the weapon used in the crime. The results of the DNA and medical tests are expected to play a pivotal role in the prosecution’s case when the matter goes to trial.