Nagpur: Seized mobile phones and laptop of the Thane youth accused of rape and torture of the Class 12 girl will be cloned to extract crucial digital evidence, said police. The survivor was taken to court on Thursday for recording her statement before the magistrate.Investigators now want a complete forensic clone of his electronic gadgets, particularly the mobile handset and laptop to recover deleted chats, images, videos, call records, and browsing history that may throw light on the full extent of the crime and other potential victims. The digital trail is likely to also reveal how the accused groomed the survivor and the planning and execution of the crime.The case has been accorded top priority by Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, where a team led by director Dr Vijay Thakare and deputy director Ashwin Gedam are analysing biological samples and electronic devices.The Thane youth is currently lodged in the ‘adaan cell’ barrack of Nagpur Central Jail and is under round-the-clock vigil. The youth is accused of keeping the 16-year-old daughter of a senior govt official hostage for nearly 20 hours at a rented flat in Dighori. During this period, he allegedly subjected the minor to repeated rape and sexual perversions.Officers are keen to establish the nature of his relationship with the girl, any pattern of similar contacts with other girls, and whether he identified more targets.Investigators also want to check any financial transaction between the accused and the survivor. They are examining the possibility of blackmail, demands for money, or other forms of exploitation that may have taken place during the prolonged association.Once the cloning is complete, the recovered data will be analysed to strengthen evidence against the accused under BNS sections and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Police have already recorded the detailed statement of some witnesses and collected medical evidence.
