Mumbai: The Mumbai police was left red-faced after the sessions court refused to charge the alleged murderer of city-based lawyer with attempting to rape her, though it charged the accused with molestation.
“The main charge is murder and we are hopeful that he will be convicted under that charge,” said a senior police officer, confirming the development.
On 27 December last year, the police had charged Sajjad Mughul (22) with attempt to rape and attributed his motive to murder Pallavi Purkayastha allegedly for “resisting his advances”, claiming that he used to ogle at the 25-year-old victim.
Mughal, a native of Jammu and Kashmir, was employed as a security guard at ‘Himalayan Heights’ in suburban Wadala where he allegedly killed Pallavi on 9 August last year.
The court has framed charges against Mughal for murder, molestation and trespassing under the Indian Penal Code.
“The court has pressed a molestation case against Mughal and said that if a charge of attempt to rape is made out in the future, it will be considered”, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.
The accused (faced covered) when he was initially arrested by the police. Screengrab from IBNLive video.
The crime branch had filed a 434-page chargesheet on 30 October against Mughal for trespassing and murder.
In his statement to the police, Mughal allegedly said that he sneaked into Pallavi’s flat on 9 August using a set of duplicate keys and tried to force himself upon her.
“However, when I forced myself upon her, she resisted and started screaming. So I assaulted her with a knife that I was already carrying,” Mughal allegedly said in his statement.
PTI
