Senior BJP politician Kirit Somaiya on Thursday visited the Hatkanangale police station in Kolhapur to seek details of the investigation into the alleged rape, videography, photography, and blackmailing of multiple victims by a 22-year-old pharmacy student.
Somaiya said the pace of the investigation was slow and that he had spoken to senior police officers to expedite the probe. He said the police had assured full support to the investigating team.
Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Neelotpal has constituted a Special Investigation Team under Additional SP and IPS officer B Dheeraj Kumar after a second victim accused the student of rape and the police arrested a 30-year-old alleged accomplice of the main accused.
"There is a need to speed up the investigation. I have spoken to a couple of seniors in the department, and they have assured that whatever support the investigation team requires will be provided. Some victims have come forward out of a sense of responsibility. Other victims should also provide information about their suffering," Somaiya said.
He added that after Devendra Fadnavis became Chief Minister, police have been instructed to act firmly even on the slightest information about such crimes. "Now, even on minimal inputs, the police go deep into the case. An SIT of 10–12 officers has been formed. We want this menace to be uprooted permanently," Somaiya said.
Both the accused are currently in police custody until May 4.
