Thane Sessions Court Rejects Bail Plea For Fourth Time Of Woman Accused Of Killing 9-Year-Old Relative; Trial In Final Stage

Thane: The Thane Sessions Court, presided over by Judge A.S. Bhagwat, has for the fourth time rejected the bail application of 34-year-old Anita Prakash Rathod, accused of allegedly murdering her 9-year-old minor child, who was her relative. The court stated that the case is at the final stage of recording the accused’s statement and observed that the latest bail plea presented no new grounds warranting reconsideration.

Co-Accused Granted Bail, But No Parity for Main Accused

In her application, Rathod had argued for bail on the grounds of parity, stating that her co-accused and brother-in-law, Akash Sopan Chavan, had already been granted bail. However, the court dismissed the plea, noting that there had been no evidential change from her previous applications.

Prosecution Claims Ample Evidence of Murder Conspiracy

The prosecution opposed the bail plea, stating that there is sufficient evidence to establish Rathod’s involvement in the murder. The prosecution also informed the court that the trial is nearing completion, with all evidence on record and the case at its concluding stage.

According to the prosecution, Rathod, along with her husband and brother-in-law, was arrested by the Thane Rural Police in 2020 for allegedly murdering the minor girl and disposing of her body in Kasara Ghat. Rathod’s husband, who was also an accused, later died by suicide.

Accused Allegedly Choked Child Over Minor Incident

Investigators allege that the couple brought the 9-year-old girl from a relative’s home in Aurangabad to Uttan under the pretext of providing her education and a better life. However, during her stay, the accused reportedly subjected the child to regular abuse. In a fit of rage—reportedly because the child wet her pants—the couple allegedly choked her to death.

Body Dumped in Kasara Ghat in Cement-Sealed Drum

The prosecution further stated that after the murder, the accused, with Akash Chavan’s help, placed the body in a plastic drum, sealed it with cement and concrete, and dumped it in a forested area in Kasara Ghat.

The court emphasized that given the gravity of the offence and the stage of the trial, Rathod does not deserve bail at this juncture.