Pune: Chargesheet Filed in Bopdev Ghat Gang Rape Case Against Two Accused; Hunt On For Third Suspect

Pune, 3rd December 2024: In the ongoing investigation into the Bopdev Ghat gang rape case, the police have submitted a chargesheet against the two arrested suspects, Chandrakumar Raviprasad Kanaujia (20) and Shoaib alias Akhtar Babu Shaikh (20), within the mandated 60 days.

The chargesheet was presented in court by Assistant Public Prosecutor Aamrapali Kasture, who confirmed that it includes over 500 pages of evidence. The statements of the 20-year-old survivor, an event management student, and her injured friend, who was an eyewitness to the attack, were recorded before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These statements have been attached to the chargesheet in a sealed envelope.

Despite the filing of the chargesheet, the police have yet to apprehend the third suspect in the case. Shoaib Shaikh, identified as the ringleader of the gang, has been involved in multiple criminal activities since 2019, with eight cases, including a rape charge, filed against him in Pune district. “Shaikh has a history of criminal activity, with multiple cases registered against him, including one rape case with the Bhigwan police and another with the Kondhwa police,” said Investigating Officer Inspector Hande. “In all previous cases, he was granted bail.”

The chargesheet was filed in compliance with Section 193 of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which requires charges to be filed within 60 days if the survivor is an adult. “The chargesheet was submitted within the legal deadline,” stated Kasture.
“We have thoroughly documented the investigation, including witness statements and evidence linking the accused to the crime.”

The court proceedings have continued, with Judicial Magistrate First Class (Pune Cantonment) A.A. Kulkarni extending the detention of the arrested suspects for another two weeks. The court also issued a production warrant, directing the police to bring the suspects before the court on December 16 for further proceedings. This includes transferring the case to a sessions court for framing charges and beginning the trial.

Regarding Shaikh’s attempt to conceal his identity, Kasture revealed that he had provided false identification documents to the police. “His real name is Akhtar Zameer Lakhpati. He used his parents’ and in-laws’ original documents to obtain two Aadhaar cards—one from Latur and another from Nagpur,” she explained. Both Aadhaar cards were seized by the police during the investigation.

The police have also recorded statements from the owner and manager of the workplace where Kanaujia was employed. Additionally, witness testimonies were gathered from the owners of two paan kiosks in Yeolewadi and Shivapur, which the accused visited after the crime to buy cigarettes, gutka, and water bottles. These pieces of evidence continue to strengthen the case against the accused.

While the investigation is ongoing, the police remain focused on locating the third suspect and ensuring the case proceeds to trial swiftly.