Trial in Nayana Pujari Gangrape and Murder Case to Resume on January 8

Strategic Insights -

The trial in the gangrape and murder of software engineer Nayana Pujari, which was deferred multiple times, will finally resume at the district and sessions court in Pune on January 8, 2012. Pujari, 27, was found murdered in Rajgurunagar, about 50 km from Pune, on October 8, 2009. Her body was recovered from the Zarewadi forests with severe head and face injuries. The suspects had allegedly kidnapped her from a bus stop and gangraped her before murdering her.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial was deferred multiple times due to the escape of main suspect Yogesh Raut from police custody in September 2011 and the controversies created by accused-turned-approver Rajesh Chaudhary.
  • The prosecution has examined five witnesses in the case, but the trial was delayed due to Raut's escape and Chaudhary's plea to withdraw the tender of pardon.
  • The court issued a non-bailable warrant for arresting Raut, but he continued to evade arrest for several months.
  • The police recorded statements of Raut's family members and others, but investigations found that he had not met anyone after his escape.
  • The court also issued an order for attaching Raut's property, but he does not own a property in his name.
  • The prosecution filed a new list of four witnesses, and the case will come up for formal hearing on January 2, with the trial resuming on January 8.

Statistics:

  • 84 witnesses are listed in the chargesheet.
  • The suspects are charged with committing an offence punishable under sections 364, 366, 394, 397, 376(2)(g), 302, 404, 201, and 120(b) read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
  • Raut escaped from Sassoon hospital on September 17, 2011, and was declared a proclaimed offender by the court.
  • The police had recorded statements of Raut's family members and others, but investigations found that he had not met anyone after his escape.

Sources:

  • "Trial in Nayana Pujari Gangrape and Murder Case to Resume on January 8". The Times of India, September 25, 2011.
  • TNN Pune: "Trial in Nayana Pujari Gangrape and Murder Case Deferred". The Times of India, November 10, 2011.