Malegaon rape case: Police custody of accused extended till November 27 amid protests

A local court in Malegaon on Thursday (November 20, 2025) extended the police custody of Ravindra Khairnar (24), accused of raping and killing a three-year old girl in Dongrale village.

The order was issued amid angry protests by residents outside the court premise, seeking quick justice for the family of the victim.

Public prosecutor Sanjay Sonawane argued that the recovery of weapons needed to be done, and that further investigation was needed. “That is why the police custody of the accused should be extended by seven days,” he sought. The court thereafter granted an extension of remand by seven days.

Police bandobast was beefed up in the court premises. The crowd had become aggressive, forcing the police to reconsider producing the accused in-person. “Towards the end of the day’s proceedings, the investigating officer submitted an application seeking to produce the accused via video conferencing,” advocate Sonawane told The Hindu..

Speaking from Malegaon, he said, “The accused has been in police custody since four days. Today, we argued that he has not been co-operating with the investigation. We also said that the police needs to find out if he had any accomplice. The murder weapon is yet to be recovered. The accounts of eye witnesses need to be recorded too. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that the matter will be put in a fast track court and that strict action will be taken against the guilty.