SIT formed after 2nd rape case against Kolhapur student

KOLHAPUR: The Kolhapur police on Wednesday set up a special investigation team (SIT) after a second case of rape and sexual harassment was registered against a 22-year-old pharmacy degree student based on a complaint by another woman. The police arrested him on April 26 in the first case and secured his custodial remand that ended on Wednesday.Additional Superintendent of Police B Dheeraj Kumar will head the SIT, according to an order issued by Kolhapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Nilotpal Basu.In related developments, the police arrested the pharma student's friend (30), also from the same village near Kolhapur city, in the first case registered by the Hatkanangale police. It relates to allegations of sexual exploitation of the complainant over the last two years, filming their intimate moments and threatening to circulate the same on social media. On Wednesday, the police produced the two suspects before a court in Peth Vadgaon, which ordered their custodial remand till May 4.The National Commission for Women (NCW) took a suo motu cognisance of the case and issued a release stating that it has asked Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) "to ensure and stringent action, arrest all accused and accomplices and conduct a thorough cyber forensic investigation". The commission has sought details regarding victim protection, counseling, medical assistance, rehabilitation support and measures to prevent blackmail and exploitation and has sought an action taken report within seven days.Police said the second case has been registered with the Shahupuri police in Kolhapur city in which the police have invoked charges under sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code as the alleged crime took place before the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) coming into effect from July 1, 2024.A release issued by Kolhapur police stated, "The SIT has been set up considering that in both the cases the victims are women, the crime is of serious and sensitive nature and requires a deeper investigation to collect strong evidence against the accused."Deputy SPs Priya Patil and Amol Thakur will assist Dheeraj Kumar while the team will also comprise two police inspectors, a woman assistant police inspector, a woman police sub-inspector and six police constables.