Nagpur: 550-page chargesheet filed against 19-year-old accused of confining, assaulting minor; bail rejected
Hudkeshwar police have filed a chargesheet with 40 witness statements; forensic reports on seized devices are awaited and a supplementary chargesheet may follow.
A 19-year-old man from Thane, accused of confining a 16-year-old girl in a rented flat in Nagpur's Dighori area and subjecting her to brutal physical and sexual abuse, has been in Nagpur Central Jail for more than 70 days since his arrest. His bail application has been rejected. Police are preparing to have the case tried quickly under the POCSO Act.
Hudkeshwar police filed a 550-page chargesheet in the last week of September. It contains the statements of 40 witnesses and the evidence collected during the investigation. However, the investigation is not yet complete. Forensic reports on the electronic devices seized in the operation are still awaited, and police are prepared to file a supplementary chargesheet once they arrive.
Police believe this digital evidence could be important in establishing the sequence of events and in determining whether anyone else fell victim to the accused's alleged cruelty. Officers are examining whether the seized devices contain material that strengthens the prosecution's case, and whether they yield further information about the accused's movements.
The case came to light on August 3, when Hudkeshwar police rescued the girl from the rented flat in Dighori. She is alleged to have been confined for more than 24 hours and subjected to serious physical and sexual abuse. When police entered, the girl was found tied to a bed, bleeding and barely clothed.
The accused was arrested on August 4. After his arrest, he alleged that police had tortured him and raised the matter before the court. He was then admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment. After discharge, he was sent to Nagpur Central Jail, where he is in judicial custody.
The court recently rejected a bail application filed by the accused's lawyers, which is seen as a major blow to him. The defence had also sought transfer of the case to another court, but the Principal District Judge rejected that plea as well.
Meanwhile, the girl is being helped to recover from the ordeal. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has arranged for psychologists and counsellors. The committee has also recommended family counselling for the girl and her family. According to a source, she is responding well to the support she is receiving.
The chargesheet records the findings of the medical examination and details of the circumstances in which the girl is alleged to have been confined. Forensic analysis of the seized devices is considered the next important step in the investigation. Police are now focusing on obtaining and examining the digital evidence, which could yield further leads and show whether there are other victims. Officials believe these findings could strengthen the case as it moves towards trial. However, any further allegations would require a separate investigation and verification.
