Two sisters raped in Palghar: Absconding accused held from Gujarat

The Palghar Police have arrested a 23yearold man from Gujarat in connection with the alleged rape and blackmail of a woman and her minor sister in Maharashtras Dahanu area officials said on Sunday reported PTIThe accused had been absconding since the case came to light earlier this month prompting police to launch an extensive search operation across multiple statesAccused traced to Gujarat after multistate searchAccording to police officials several teams were formed to track down the suspect after he went into hiding following the registration of the caseAfter nearly two weeks of investigation and coordinated efforts the accused was located in Bharuch district of neighbouring Gujarat and taken into custody on Saturday night reported PTIA senior police official said the arrest was made following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering by teams deployed in different locationsThe accused was subsequently brought to Maharashtra for further investigation and legal proceedingsCase registered under BNS and POCSO ActPolice registered a case on June 1 based on a complaint lodged by the victims who alleged sexual exploitation and blackmailThe accused has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act considering that one of the victims is a minor reported PTIInvestigators are examining the allegations in detail and gathering additional evidence as part of the ongoing probeIncident triggered public outrageThe case attracted significant public attention and triggered outrage in the region after details of the allegations emergedPolitical leaders and social activists called for swift action against the accused and demanded justice for the victimsThe incident also sparked discussions about the need for stronger safeguards and quicker action in cases involving crimes against women and childrenChitra Wagh sought strict actionBharatiya Janata Party BJP MLC Chitra Wagh visited the victims family and the Dahanu police station on June 6 to review the progress of the investigationShe demanded immediate and stringent action against the accused and urged authorities to ensure that the victims received all necessary supportWagh also alleged that a structure associated with the accused was unauthorised and called for action against it in accordance with the lawMatter raised with Chief MinisterFollowing her visit Wagh said she had taken up the issue with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought prompt intervention to ensure the accused was apprehendedPolice officials said the investigation remained a priority and multiple teams were deployed in Maharashtra and neighbouring states during the search operationFurther investigation underwayWith the arrest of the accused investigators are expected to focus on collecting additional evidence recording statements and completing other legal formalities required in the caseOfficials said the accused will be produced before a court and further action will be taken in accordance with the lawThe police have not disclosed additional details about the investigation citing the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of a minor victimAuthorities said further investigation is ongoing and legal proceedings will continue as the case moves forward through the judicial processWith inputs from PTI