Pune Court Rejects Police Plea for Extended Custody of Godman in Sexual Assault Case
In a significant development, the court of judicial magistrate first class YS Kawade in Pune cantonment on Monday rejected a plea by the Manjari police seeking a three-day extension of custodial remand for Vasai-based godman Hrishikesh Vaidya. The 39-year-old is facing charges of sexual assault and criminal intimidation in a case that has drawn widespread attention.
Police Arguments for Extended Custody
The police had based their plea on several key investigative needs. They argued that they must recover a pen drive or other electronic device where Vaidya allegedly stored objectionable videos and photos of the rape survivor, a resident of Pune. Additionally, the authorities needed to trace and recover the four-wheeler vehicle Vaidya is accused of using to transport the survivor to the crime scene—a lodge in Manjari.
Further investigation aims included determining if Vaidya had sexually exploited other women and identifying any potential accomplices in the crime. The police emphasized that these steps were crucial for building a robust case against the accused.
Defense Opposition and Court's Decision
Advocate Sajid Shah, representing Vaidya, strongly opposed the police's request. He pointed out that the case diary presented to the court on April 2 and April 4 showed minimal progress in the investigation, undermining the justification for extended custody.
"The court took note of our argument and stated that the accused would be sent to jail under magisterial custody for now. The police may apply for custodial remand later if fresh evidence emerges," Shah told reporters, highlighting the court's stance on the matter.
Background of the Case
Pune police arrested Vaidya from Pimpri on March 28, following the registration of a zero FIR by the Manikpur police in Vasai. The complaint was filed by a Pune woman who accused the godman of sedating and raping her at a lodge in Manjari on December 31, 2023, under the guise of performing a ritual.
According to the complaint, Vaidya allegedly called the woman to Vasai in May last year and sexually assaulted her again. He also reportedly threatened to send her objectionable photographs to her husband and to kill him, adding charges of criminal intimidation to the case.
The Manikpur police subsequently transferred the case to the Manjari police station, as the alleged crimes occurred within its jurisdiction. On Monday, after Vaidya's custodial remand period ended, the police produced him before the JMFC court and sought an extension, which was ultimately denied.
Implications and Next Steps
This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring that police investigations are conducted diligently and without unnecessary delays. The court's decision to place Vaidya in magisterial custody rather than grant extended police custody reflects a careful balance between investigative needs and the rights of the accused.
Moving forward, the police may need to gather more concrete evidence before reapplying for custodial remand, as indicated by the court. The case continues to unfold, with potential implications for how similar sexual assault cases are handled in the future.
