Amravati Sex Scandal: Court Extends Custody of Key Accused, Criticizes Slow Investigation Pace
The Achalpur district sessions court on Tuesday extended the police custody of Amravati sex scandal key accused Ayaan Ahmed and three other individuals until April 27. In a significant development, the court explicitly criticized law enforcement authorities for the sluggish progress in the ongoing investigation into this high-profile case.
Unprecedented Security Measures During Court Appearance
The accused were produced before the court under exceptionally heavy security arrangements that marked a first in the region's judicial proceedings. For the initial time, authorities deployed surveillance drones over the court premises and its immediate vicinity, providing an aerial monitoring layer to complement the extensive ground security.
The multi-layered security apparatus included local police personnel, a complete platoon of specialized riot control police, and members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the sensitive case. The entire route through which the accused were transported to the courthouse was barricaded at crucial junctions, with traffic systematically diverted during the convoy's movement to ensure maximum security.
Prosecution Arguments for Extended Custody
Public prosecutor Dhanraj Navale presented compelling arguments before the court, emphasizing that the custodial interrogation of the accused remained incomplete and required additional time. He highlighted several critical investigative aspects that demanded further attention, including advanced forensic analysis of mobile phones seized from the accused.
Navale specifically pointed to the necessity of technical analysis concerning social media platforms where obscene content had allegedly been uploaded. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of scrutinizing financial transactions involving the accused to trace potential money trails and uncover the complete financial dimension of the case.
The prosecution also raised significant questions about the source of funds behind Ayaan Ahmed's possession of a luxury SUV and a weapon allegedly discovered within the vehicle, indicating these elements required thorough investigation.
Defense Counterarguments Against Remand Extension
Defense counsel Waqar Ahmad, representing key accused Ayaan Ahmed, strongly opposed the prosecution's plea for extended police custody. He argued that law enforcement had already been granted seven full days of custody but had failed to recover substantial evidence during this period.
Ahmad informed the court that data recovery exercises conducted in both Amravati and Nagpur had yielded no incriminating material against his client. He characterized the grounds presented for fresh custody as merely repetitive and legally unsustainable, questioning the investigation's effectiveness.
Regarding the weapon found in the SUV, the defense counsel submitted that it was not a firearm but rather an air gun typically used for agricultural purposes, attempting to downplay this aspect of the prosecution's case.
Court's Directive and Digital Evidence Developments
The court, while granting the remand extension in light of the serious allegations involved, directed police authorities to present concrete evidence at the next hearing. This judicial instruction came alongside acknowledgment of the case's gravity and the need for thorough investigation.
On the digital evidence front, investigators have expanded their technological examination beyond the initial five mobile phones seized. Authorities have now sent six additional phones, one laptop, one tablet, and a hard disk to forensic laboratories for comprehensive analysis.
From devices already examined, investigators have recovered 18 videos and 39 photographs involving eight survivors of the alleged scandal. Police have once again appealed to survivors' families to come forward without fear, assuring complete confidentiality with appropriate legal precautions to protect their identities throughout the judicial process.
The case continues to develop as investigators work against the court's deadline to uncover evidence in this sensitive matter that has captured regional attention.
