Attack in Aundh: Another minor arrested, police officer transferred; residents hold candlelight march

Police have arrested another minor in connection with the Aundh attack, officials said on Saturday. With the latest arrest, four minors have been detained, while one more person has been arrested in the case. Another person is still at large.

Sameer Roychowdhury was out for a morning walk and died after being attacked by four robbers with iron rods in Aundh on June 13. The accused also attacked cyclist Shreyas Satish Shetty (30) and security guard Ramsobitkumar Thakku Mandal.

Amid the incident, Chaturshringi police station in-charge Ajay Kulkarni, who was leading the investigation, was also transferred. Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar issued an order to this effect on Friday.

Kulkarni had earlier applied for a transfer. He was temporarily replaced by Police Inspector Shailesh Sankhe, who is currently working in the traffic department of the municipal commissionerate.

Vijay Magar, deputy commissioner of police (Zone IV), said, “We have arrested another 17-year-old youth in connection with the murder. The minor was arrested late evening and will be produced before the juvenile court tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, local residents took part in a candlelight march in Aundh on Saturday evening to protest against the “gruesome” murder of Roychowdhury.

Vaishali Patkar, a civil rights activist, said: “We want to bring to the attention of the authorities that the life of an innocent citizen was lost through no fault of his. The attackers, though minors, must be tried as adults for committing a heinous crime under the influence of alcohol, with the intention of looting and robbery.”

“The police must take strict action against the perpetrators and ensure that justice is done for the family,” she added.

Deepak Gogate, Roychowdhury’s friend, said, “Most of the time, police are deployed for VIP visits, compromising the safety of common people. Such incidents have no place in society.”

Vinod Shettigar, another resident, said: “There is a complete lack of law and order in the city. Patrols must be increased and criminals must be made afraid of the police. Such incidents must not be repeated.”