No arrest in rape-cum-murder of sisters; Patil meets family

Over a week after the gruesome rape and murder of three minor sisters in adjoining Bhandara district, local police have made little headway in identifying and arresting the culprits even as Maharashtra Government sought details of progress into the investigation.
The sisters, aged 6, 9 and 11 years, had gone missing from their residence in Murwadi village in Bhandara, about 70 km near here on February 14. They were allegedly raped and murdered, and their bodies were found in a well near the village two days later, police said.
Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil, who arrived here from Pune, drove straight to Murwadi and met the family members of the girls this evening.

He later held discussions with top police officials on progress into the investigation of the case, sources said.
Police are yet to make any arrest in the case which has grabbed the nation's attention. The matter also figured in yesterday's Union Cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the brutal episode and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the victims' family.
Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari, accompanied by state BJP women's wing President Neeta Kelkar, visited the village this morning and met the bereaved family.

Bhandara Police have formed multiple teams to probe the case but no breakthrough has been achieved yet. Police Inspector Prakash Munde has been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, Kelkar demanded dismissal of the Maharashtra government for its "failure" to protect women in the state.
Talking to reporters here, she said the BJP will take out a torch rally on February 25 across the state to highlight crime against women and other issues.
She described the Murwadi incident as "shameful" and more serious than the gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in Delhi last December.