Dombivli gang-rape case: Call data places all 33 accused at crime spots

Court declares two more accused as minors, taking the total to four

Mamnpada police, investigating the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl, have filed the charge sheet in the case, citing technical evidence that establishes a connection between the 33 accused and places the survivor in their proximity.

The charge sheet is based on technical evidence, such as call data record, cell tower location of the accused and the victim, and is supported by the statements of 122 witnesses. It was filed before the Kalyan Sessions court, which has declared two more accused as minors, taking the total to four. All of them have been sent to remand home, while the remaining 29 accused are lodged in jail.

The call data record (CDR) and tower location confirmed that the accused were in touch with each other before and after every assault, and established their presence at places of each offence.

The Dombivli resident had approached the Manpada police station alleging that 33 people, including friends and acquaintances, raped her multiple times between January 29 and September 22, the day she filed the complaint.

Taking serious cognisance of the complaint, Thane police commissioner ordered an inquiry led by Sonali Dhole, the assistant commissioner of police (Naupada Division). She formed five teams to track down the accused, and within 100 hours of FIR registration, they arrested all 33 accused.

"The 855-page charge sheet filed recently contains statements of 122 witnesses who saw the movement of the accused and the victim at four spots where crime was committed. According to the complaint, the accused raped the girl in Dombivli, Rabale, Belapur and Murbad, and they also drugged her in some instances," said an officer.

Police have, however, not yet established the survivor's allegation that one of the accused charged money from the others.

Forensic report awaited

Police have sent the mobile phones of the accused and the victim to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for the retrieval of an alleged video made by one of the accused to blackmail her. Chats of the accused and the victim on social media hold significance in the case, said police.

"Many of the accused had formatted their phones after the offence was registered. A forensic analysis will retrieve that data. We will file a supplementary charge sheet once we get it," said an officer.

Jan-Sept
Period this year when the offence took place