In a jam-packed magistrate’s court in Thane, the Mira Road police on Saturday sought an extension of the police custody of businessman Kishore Chauhan (49), astrologer Hasmukh Rathod (55) and Chauhan’s wife Anjana (49) in an incest-rape case that had come to light earlier this week.
The court granted the extension, leaving the husband and wife from Mira Road and the Juhu-based astrologer in police custody till Thursday.
The police accuse Chauhan and Rathod of raping Chauhan’s two daughters over nine years and Anjana of aiding and abetting rape.
In court, the police submitted that they wanted the extension of police custody to conduct the medical examination of the accused and take all of them to Rathod’s ashram.
The police said they wanted to find out if there were more people who had ended up as Rathod’s victims and whether there was a larger, flesh racket involved.
Chauhan, Anjana and Rathod were brought to the metropolitan magistrate’s court about 2.45 pm amid heavy security and the courtroom suddenly saw people storming in for a glimpse of the accused.
Several advocates practising at the court for years said it was the first time they had witnessed such a tightly packed courtroom. Chauhan and Anjana stood with their heads bowed, while Rathod moved his gaze over all those present. None of the accused uttered a word, only raising their hands when their names were called out.
{{/usCountry}}Several advocates practising at the court for years said it was the first time they had witnessed such a tightly packed courtroom. Chauhan and Anjana stood with their heads bowed, while Rathod moved his gaze over all those present. None of the accused uttered a word, only raising their hands when their names were called out.
{{/usCountry}}Appearing for the accused, Advocate Edgar Braganza contended that the police ought to have conducted the medical check-up of the victim as well as the accused much earlier.