Pune: A horrifying incident involving the sexual assault and murder of two minor sisters in the Rajgurunagar area has sparked outrage among local residents.
A bandh was observed on Friday (December 27), and citizens staged a protest in front of the Khed Police Station, demanding justice for the victims. The accused, a 54-year-old hotel worker, has been arrested and remanded to police custody until January 1.
The accused, identified as Ajay Chandramohan Das, worked at a beer bar and lived in a rented room near his workplace. On the day of the incident, the two sisters were playing outside his house. Das lured them into his room under the guise of offering snacks. He attempted to assault the elder sister, prompting the younger one to scream.
In a bid to silence her, Das drowned the younger sister in a water barrel. He then assaulted the elder sister and drowned her as well before fleeing the scene.
When the girls went missing, their family lodged a complaint with the Khed Police. The police traced Das to the Saswad area and arrested him. A case has been registered under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.
Court Proceedings and Police Investigation:
The police requested custody to investigate the sequence of events, ascertain if Das had accomplices, and recover critical evidence, including a mobile phone that the accused admitted to discarding. DNA testing will be conducted to strengthen the case.
The court granted police custody until January 1, allowing further investigation to determine whether Das had committed similar offenses in the past.
Protests and Public Demand:
The victims' relatives and villagers demanded the death penalty for the accused. They staged a sit-in protest outside the Khed Police Station and temporarily blocked traffic on the Pune-Nashik Highway, expressing their anguish and frustration.
Dr. Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council, visited the victims' families to offer condolences and assured them of swift justice. She suggested appointing a special public prosecutor and urged the case be expedited in a fast-track court. Dr. Gorhe also highlighted the need to register migrant laborers in the area to prevent such incidents.
State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar met with Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh to discuss the case. She emphasized securing strong evidence and pursuing stringent punishment for the accused. The commission also pledged financial support for the victims’ families through government schemes.