The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged sexual abuse case involving BJP chief Ramesh Jarkiholi on Thursday carried out a mahazar (on-site inspection) of the crime scene, a posh apartment believed to belong to to a former minister.

The woman, who complained to the police, accompanied the detectives for the exercise. She had, in her testimony to the judicial magistrate and the SIT, alleged that the former minister had taken her to the apartment and sexually assaulted her, sources said.

The SIT also carried out a mahazar of paid accommodation where the victim lived until recently. SIT officials raided the accommodation from which they claimed to have recovered 9 lakh in cash, before the victim appeared before the police. Police have remained silent on whether or not the victim contested the foreclosure of his home in his absence.

Police also seized the victim’s phone and SIM card for forensic examination. She claimed in her statement that Mr Jarkiholi not only chatted with her on her phone but also made obscene video calls and allegedly presented screenshots and other evidence of several messages and calls. The cell phone along with the alleged sex video and voice samples collected from the victim would be sent for forensic examination, SIT officials said.

Meanwhile, the victim’s lawyer, KN Jagadish Kumar, took to the media via a social media platform and demanded that the SIT immediately arrest Mr. Jarkiholi. “The victim testified both before the magistrate and the SIT, provided supporting evidence, and crime scene medical and mahazar tests were also carried out. What are the police waiting for to arrest the accused in this case? he said.

He also raised suspicions about the integrity of the SIT. “The chief minister says the accused will tell the truth and invites him to campaign for the party in the polls. What message does this send to the police? It is obvious that this hampered his arrest, ”he alleged.

Meanwhile, the state government has appointed lead attorney S. Kiran Javali and CBI attorney P. Prasanna Kumar as special prosecutors in the sexual abuse case. While Mr. Javali will handle all matters related to the High Court, the SIT will be represented by Mr. Kumar in the trial court, sources said.