Bhandara case forensic reports reveal girls were not raped

The investigation into the alleged rape and murder of three sisters in Bhandara took a new twist when the forensic reports revealed that they were not raped. Pradip Kumar Maitra reports.

The investigation into the alleged rape and murder of three sisters in Bhandara took a new twist when the forensic reports revealed that they were not raped.

Initially, the post mortem report had claimed that the three school-going minors -- aged 6, 9 and 11 -- were raped and murdered.

The state police, still struggling to solve the case, are now rattled by the new finding and director general of police (DGP), Sanjeev Dayal paid a visit to Nagpur on Friday.

Dayal went to Murmadi village and spoke to a section of people, including the local police personnel.

It is said that the Nagpur-based forensic lab verbally communicated the report while a formal report is yet to be received by the police department.

However, the police are waiting for a second opinion before coming to a conclusion.

Their post-mortem reports stated that there were injuries on their private parts, based on which the rape section was included in the FIR.

Dayal, who was not available for comments, held a meeting with senior police officials at Bhandara and reportedly told the investigation agency to probe the issue taking the view of both the reports --- post mortem and forensic.

The police are still clueless about the culprits.

However, several fact-finding teams are pouring in to the sleepy outpost to gather information and other details.

A team of National Commission for Women, led by Nirmal Samant Prabhavalkar, also visited the village on Thursday and met the mother of the victims.

The team expressed its displeasure over the role of police and said that it is taking a 'insensitive' approach.

The three sisters went missing on February 14 from their school at Murmadi village, some 150 kms from Nagpur in eastern part of Maharashtra. Their bodies were found in a well near the village on February 16.

The district police, led by superintendent of police Aarti Singh, are struggling to make headway in the investigation.

Among the villagers who were interrogated include the maternal uncle of the victims, Arun Bhaurao Gotmare. He was interrogated by the special inspector general of police, Rajendra Singh on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the senior Shiv Sena leader and legislator, Neelam Gorhe, also visited the village on Thursday and met mother of the victims. She accused the police for the delay in making headway in the case.

"Even after 15 days, the police failed to arrest the killers of the girls. Wonder how are the police proceeding with the investigations without any leads," she said.

Singh still maintained that they were close to cracking the case.

"We have got some vital clues and hopeful to make headway soon," she added.

The Lakhni police have questioned and interrogated over 100 locals so far.