Kin want to slap rape charge on Kulkarni
Parents of the Sule sisters, who are allegedly influenced and exploited by cult leader Sunil Kulkarni, on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that the Crime Branch has failed to deal with several important aspects of the case, especially the serious charge of ‘rape.’ The HC has accordingly asked the investigators to look into the contentions of the parents and file a progress report within a period of two weeks.
A division bench of Justice Rajendra Savant and Justice Sandeep Shinde directed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Crime Branch to personally look into this issue.
The judges were hearing a criminal writ petition filed by the parents of Sule sisters, seeking action against cult leader Sunil Kulkarni, accusing him of trafficking and exploiting young minds. The parents have moved the HC through advocates Sandesh Patil and Varsha Bhogle.
The parents informed the judges that the police have not taken cognizance of the numerous tablets found in Kulkarni’s home and especially the pills, which are used to treat schizophrenic people. They also informed the judges that instead of arresting other accused in the case, the police have rather recorded their statements and have shown the co-accused as witnesses in their charge-sheet.
Advocate Patil, told the judges that the police have not recorded the statements of a girl, who is a friend of the Sule sisters, and has reportedly revealed that Kulkarni had sexual relations with one of the Sule sisters. He also told the judges that the police have not slapped the rape charge against Kulkarni and has rather invoked certain ‘mild’ charges.
On the other hand, the additional public prosecutor, told the judges that the Sule sisters are adults and have on their own will, given statements in favour of Kulkarni. Having heard the submissions, Justice Savant said, “This court does not want to pick holes in the probe and rather only wants to be satisfied that all the possibilities and angles are taken into account. We only want a fair probe. Also, it is obvious that the parents of the victims might have some apprehensions, it is necessary on your part to look into them.”
The judges have now posted the matter for further hearing on September 26.