Minor girl raped and murdered in Pune's Nasrapur: Accused's police custody extended till May 12

The footage also showed the accused carrying a packet of snacks while accompanying the girl towards a cowshed, and investigators were trying to identify the shop from where it was purchased, police further told court.

A Pune court on Thursday extended till May 12 the police custody of a man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering a 4-year-old girl in Bhor tehsil in the district. The incident, which took place on May 1 in Nasrapur village, had triggered nationwide outrage, with residents of the area blocking arterial roads and a highway seeking death penalty for the 65-year-old accused, a labourer with a criminal background. Considering public outrage and security concerns, the accused was produced before Special Judge M G Chavan through video conferencing. During the hearing, investigating officer Vijaymala Pawar and special public prosecutor Arundhati Brahme sought police custody of the accused for further probe. The prosecution told the court the accused's potency test and chemical analysis examination had been conducted, and further investigation was required to ascertain whether he had committed similar offences in the past or had previously abused the victim. Police informed the court that CCTV footage showed the accused carrying a bundle on his shoulder after the incident, and efforts were underway to trace the object and determine its contents. The footage also showed the accused carrying a packet of snacks while accompanying the girl towards a cowshed, and investigators were trying to identify the shop from where it was purchased, police further told court. The prosecution also submitted that investigators were probing the injuries found on the victim's body and were yet to recover the weapon allegedly used in the crime. Statements of witnesses who reportedly saw the accused taking the girl with him were also being recorded, while police were examining whether any other person had assisted him in committing the offence, officials added.