Maratha groups to protest girl’s rape

The third suspect in the Khopardi rape and murder case in Ahmednagar, Nitin Bhailume, was arrested on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Maratha organisations decided to stage a massive statewide morcha in Ahmednagar and most district headquarters on Monday.

The brutal torture, rape and murder of a minor girl in Khopardi village of Karjat tehsil on Wednesday night has shocked the state, with agitations and demonstrations being held in many districts and towns.

The 14-year-old victim, who was from a middle-class Maratha family (and not a Dalit family as was initially reported), knew the alleged rapists, who lived near her house. The girl had gone to bring spices from her grandmother’s house nearby when she was waylaid.

Ahmednagar SP Saurav Tripathi said the police was working overtime and had arrested the third accused on Sunday. The name of the prime accused is Jeetendra alias Pappu Babulal Shinde. The other accused has been identified as Santosh Bhaval and both have been remanded to police custody.

Bhumata Brigade president Trupti Desai demanded the resignations of the CM and guardian minister Ram Shinde on moral grounds. “The CM has time to meet an actress but not the families of rape victims,” Ms Desai said in Khopardi after meeting the victim’s kin.

Jijao Brigade district chief Madhuri Bhadane, Sambhaji Brigade district chief Yogesh Nisal and others, during a press meet in Nashik on Sunday, demanded that all the accused be arrested, the case be held in a fast-track court, advocate Ujjwal Nikam be nominated as the prosecutor, a compensation of '25 lakh for the victim’s family, and action against the accused’s family.

Jijao Brigade activists, wearing black sarees, will congregate at Ahmednagar’s Shivaji chowk at 1 pm on Monday and march to the collectorate, where a memorandum will be given to the collector. Advocate Jayashree Shelke said that many organisations in the state would stage demonstrations.

Significantly, the Ahmednagar Bar Council has decided against appearing for the accused, according to Shivprahar Sanghatna leader Sanjay Bhor. “Angry residents threw eggs at the accused when they were brought to court today (Sunday),” he said.