Pune Court Sentences Nasrapur Rapist to Death

A sessions court in Pune, Maharashtra, has sentenced 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble to death for the rape and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Nasrapur. Special Judge SR Salunkhe declared the crime as falling under the rarest of the rare category, mandating the capital punishment of being hanged till death. The conviction follows a fast-track trial process that relied on an unbroken chain of circumstantial and forensic evidence, including DNA results, CCTV footage, and medical reports.

The incident occurred on May 1 when the perpetrator lured the toddler to a shed near a cattle barn before assaulting and killing her. The Pune Rural police filed a chargesheet within 15 days, allowing for a rapid legal resolution. During the trial, the prosecution presented testimonies from 55 witnesses and detailed 18 distinct injuries found on the victim during the autopsy. The court noted that the accused showed no signs of remorse or reformation, reinforcing the decision to impose the maximum legal penalty available under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The verdict has drawn significant attention, with officials from the Maharashtra Legislative Council commending the judiciary for the swift trial. The incident previously triggered widespread public protests throughout the region demanding justice for the victim. The government has signaled that cases involving extreme brutality against minors will continue to be prioritized for accelerated prosecution. This ruling is expected to serve as a legal benchmark for future cases involving violent crimes against children, reflecting a strict judicial stance on such criminal conduct.