Cops seek to extend custody of men held in Kharghar schoolgirl abuse case

NAVI MUMBAI: The two men arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in a school van will have to spend a few more days in custody.
The police will produce Vakil Mahato and Surendra Kotwal in the Panvel JMFC court to extend their custody beyond Monday. The duo was sent to Taloja prison and is in magisterial custody.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother recorded her statement in front of a magistrate in-camera on November 27 but the police claim that they are yet to receive her account.
“I have not yet received the woman’s statement. Once I receive the official report from the court, further course of action shall be decided,” said S B Suryavanshi, ACP, Panvel.
On Sunday, a city-based NGO had asked the police to hand over the case to either the Mumbai crime branch or CID.
Hemant Sharma of Sahayak NGO had alleged that the founder of the school — a local politician — where the girl studied was trying to bury the case and could intimidate the girl’s parents as they are poor.
“Due to the influential background of the school’s founder, the possibility cannot be ruled out that there could be attempts to intimidate the girl’s parents. Keeping these things in mind, I want an independent agency to take over the case,” he said.