Charge sheet in Nashik case within 15 days: Government

MUMBAI : The state plans to file the charge sheet against the 15-year-old, who allegedly assaulted a five-year-old sexually on Saturday, sparking violence in the

MUMBAI : The state plans to file the charge sheet against the 15-year-old, who allegedly assaulted a five-year-old sexually on Saturday, sparking violence in the district, within 15 days, to ensure strict punishment to the accused. The government has also blocked the Internet and social media and is in touch with key leaders from social and political outfits from Nashik to curb spread of rumours.

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Minister of state for home Deepak Kesarkar, who visited the family of the survivor in Nashik on Monday, said, “The police have been instructed to file the charge sheet in record time. Additional companies of the State Reserve Police Force has been deployed to maintain peace.”

The accused was arrested on Sunday. The government suspects the hand of disgruntled social and political groups in spreading rumours and subsequent violence.

“We have information about the involvement of certain antisocial elements. Although our priority is maintaining peace, the police have been asked to identify the miscreants,” said a source from the home department.

Chief minister and other key leaders from the government spoke to the key leaders from local outfits in Nashik on Sunday and Monday.

A section of political leadership in government suspects groups belonging to a specific community were behind the violence.

The government is also checking if the the people associated with the protest rally recently held in Nashik have played a role in the violence.

“The government was worried about extreme reaction from the community the girl belonged to,” said a minister.

After Nashik’s guardian minister Girish Mahajan’s statement about the case irked protesters, he was asked to keep away from the city on Monday.

The state announced a compensation of Rs3 lakh to the survivor under the Manodhairya scheme.

Kesarkar said Rs1 lakh has been handed over to the parents of the survivor, while the remaining amount will be given in due course.