Journalist held for raping disabled

The Kalamboli police arrested a journalist, Nana Karanjulekar, on Tuesday for allegedly raping five mentally challenged girls in an orphanage in Kalyan, Nana is the nephew of prime accused Ramchandra Karanjulekar.

The Kalamboli police arrested a journalist, Nana Karanjulekar, on Tuesday for allegedly raping five mentally challenged girls in an orphanage in Kalyan, Nana is the nephew of prime accused Ramchandra Karanjulekar.

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The abuse was revealed after a high court-appointed State Coordination Committee for Child Protection had visited the Kalyani Mahila and Balak Seva Sanstha in February.

The total number of arrests in the case now stands at six. On March 4, the police arrested Kalyani Karanjulekar, 25, the president of the Sanstha, her father Ramchandra, 51, mother Surekha, 41, and Sonali Bharde, 21, the caretaker. Two days later, the police arrested another caretaker, Parvatibai Shamsundar Mawde, 60.

Nana surrendered at the Kalamboli police station earlier in the day. He was then presented at the Panvel court which remanded him in police custody till March 15. All the accused have been booked for rape.

However, Nana claimed that he was being framed. “This is a conspiracy against me. I have been arrested due to political pressure. I am innocent. I have complete faith in the police and the judiciary and I am sure the truth will be out soon,” he told the media.

Sanjay Shukla, inspector, Kalamboli police station, said: “We have sent the samples of the second medical test of the victims for analysis. The report is expected in a month’s time.”