After a five-day search by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Amravati sexual assaults and video leaks case, one of the survivors has come forward and provided a statement against the primary accused, Ayan Ahmed.
It was a 15-year-old girl who finally came forward and had her official statement recorded on Saturday, 18 April. She was accompanied by female members of the SIT, reports said. After counselling, her statement was recorded in the presence of female officers and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Based on the details of her testimony, the police will decide whether to add more charges to the original case or register a fresh, independent First Information Report (FIR). Ayan Ahmed is now certain to face charges under the POCSO Act.
The Maharashtra Police knew that eight girls, some of whom are minors, were sexually assaulted by Ayan. However, the fear of losing face before society has kept them from coming forward against the accused. Thus, the minor coming forward is a significant relief for the probe team, as her statement could significantly strengthen the case against the 19-year-old accused.
According to media reports, the Amravati Rural Police had already reached out to two survivors whom they were able to track down. Under the guidance of Rural Police Superintendent Vishal Anand, the SIT worked tirelessly to eventually locate this 15-year-old girl in Nagpur, Loksatta said in a report.
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While it remains unclear if the girl is originally from Nagpur, both the Superintendent of Police and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that she arrived from Nagpur to record her statement.
The police have received data from three out of the five mobile phones sent to the forensic lab, Loksatta said. A detailed analysis of this data is expected to reveal more details. Police have arrested eight accused persons and seized multiple electronic devices, including seven mobile phones, a laptop, a hard disk, and a tablet.