This Article is From Nov 22, 2010

Mumbai cop accused of raping minor yet to be named in FIR

Mumbai cop accused of raping minor yet to be named in FIR
Mumbai: Despite being dismissed from service after his name cropped up in the investigations into the rape of a 15-year-old girl from Powai, former senior police inspector Arun Borude is yet to be named in the FIR filed in the case. Legal experts feel that Borude may take advantage of his name not being there in the FIR.

On Thursday, Borude's lawyer had filed an anticipatory bail application in the sessions court. Since Borude was not present, the hearing of the plea was postponed to Monday. Also, the interim relaxation given to him for that period was vacated.

"The person applying for bail at the sessions or the high court has to be present if the prosecution demands. In this case, the prosecution has demanded Borude's presence; so he will have to be present for hearing," said public prosecutor Rohini Salian.

"Only after that it would be decided, on basis of the evidence produced by police against him, that his custody is needed or not. As prayed by him in his application that he has not been named in the FIR and should be released in the event of arrest, could be granted if the police fail to provide enough evidence. As of now, the police have found his name only through the phone records of an accused. He could say that he was in her contact for some other reason and not for this case. Also, the victim has not named him and this could help him in some way."

Borude was posted with the Powai unit of the crime branch and it is believed that it was then that he came in contact with Shanta Gaikwad, the pimp who pushed the victim into prostitution.

A senior lawyer said: "There is very little chance that Borude may get bail in this case, but this is possible to some extent if the investigators do not produce much matter in the court to get his custody. He may also be granted bail if the court after hearing both sides feel that his custody is not necessary but he may be called for questioning, if needed."

According to the victim's family members, police officials had shown her the picture of Borude at Rajawadi Hospital where she is admitted with her child. She, they claim, had identified him as a person who raped her. However, police commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said that the names of the accused would appear in the chargesheet.

Police teams have launched a manhunt to nab Borude and are trying to trace him through his cell phone number. The number was in use till a few days ago  and was also traced at Lonavla but after that it has not been in use due to which police officials have been unable to trace Borude.

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