Navi Mumbai News: A protest march was organised in Navi Mumbai on Sunday to condemn the gang rape and murder of a housewife from the Thane district earlier this month. Led by Airoli MLA Ganesh Naik (BJP) and other local leaders, protesters wore black ribbons and held placards demanding justice for the victim. Police have arrested three attendants of a temple for allegedly raping and killing the 30-year-old woman, identified as Akshta Mhatre, whose body was found dumped in a valley on July 9.
"People want capital punishment for the accused trio. I have written to the chief minister and deputy chief ministers demanding a fast-track trial and the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor," Naik told reporters, as per news agency PTI.
According to police, the victim left her house on July 6 after a dispute with her in-laws and sought shelter in a temple on a hilltop in Kalyan Phata, Thane. The three attendants at the temple allegedly raped and killed her before dumping her body in a valley, where it was discovered on July 9.
CCTV Footage Showed Victim Entering Temple, But Not Leaving
According to a report by Midday, the victim's body was discovered by a doctor visiting the Ghol Ganapati temple near Kalyan Shilphata, who promptly alerted the authorities. Further investigation revealed that the victim had visited the temple alone on June 6. "We suspect the three ascetics tried to sexually assault her, but she resisted, and they killed her," a police official stated, as per the report. The incident occurred while the head ascetic was on a pilgrimage to Ayodhya, leaving the temple under the care of the three accused.
CCTV footage showed the victim entering the temple but not leaving, leading the police to suspect foul play, Midday reported. "After gathering technical details and evidence from the spot, we arrested the sadhus, aged 62, 54, and 28. They were presented before a court and remanded to police custody until July 16. We believe the victim was killed after she retaliated against her attackers," the police officer added, according to the report.