December 9: The Bombay High Court has on Monday rejected the bail application of the staff cook of the Dongri Observation Home, Shivaji Laxman Nanavare accused of raping a handicapped minor girl in the premises of the rehabilitation centre.

Justice S S Parkar rejected the plea by Nanaware (39) arrested for the alleged offence in October this year. The cook's plea was earlier rejected in the sessions court and before that in the Mazgaon magistrate's court. The Dongri police are currently investigating the matter.

The alleged incident took place on September 21 this year. Two friends of the 15-year-old victim reported the rape to the superintendent Anil Harshe and his deputy Usha Surve. However, no action was taken nor a police complaint registered, claimed the prosecution counsel Satish Borulkar.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.