‘Accused watched child pornography on phone’

SLUG: Umargam Rape CaseSurat: The investigation into the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Umargam has uncovered disturbing details about the 29-year-old accused person. According to police, the youth was addicted to pornographic content and used to watch child pornography. Police found this during a preliminary examination of his mobile phone.The phone has been sent to a forensic science laboratory for further analysis to gather technical and scientific evidence.The accused was presented in court on Thursday, where the police requested five days of custody. The court remanded him to four days in police custody, to facilitate an identification parade and evidence collection. Police have recovered the accused's clothes and mobile phone, which he used to watch pornographic context. "The initial findings indicate he watched several videos daily and had developed a habit. The videos include some highly objectionable material, reflecting a perverted mindset," a police officer said.Additionally, a detailed medical examination of the accused will be conducted to obtain further evidence. The crime scene has been processed with the forensic science laboratory's assistance.Meanwhile, police confirmed that the victim's health has stabilized, and she has been discharged from the hospital. "She is back with her family and her health is reported to be normal," said police.The incident has incited significant local unrest. Protests erupted on Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday, with villagers rallying outside the police station demanding swift justice. The protests saw widespread support, with many women joining and local businesses closing in solidarity. The demonstration subsided after police assured that the investigation would be expedited and a chargesheet filed within 15 days. BJP leaders from Valsad have also called for a fast-track hearing of the case to ensure prompt justice.