A 65-year-old man, Bhimrao Kamble, has been sentenced to death by a special court in Pune, India, for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl. The crime occurred on May 1 in Nasrapur village, near Pune in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The girl, who was visiting her mother's home, was lured into a cattle shed where she was assaulted and killed. Her body was later found inside the shed.
Court Condemns 'Depraved' Act
Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe, delivering the verdict, described the crime as one committed to 'satisfy lust,' evidencing 'total depravity.' The judge stated: 'The offence was committed outrageously and involved inhuman treatment and torture of the victim. The victim was an innocent, helpless child.' The court noted that the murder was cold-blooded, without provocation, and so brutal that it shocks both judicial conscience and society.
Kamble's history of acquittals in two earlier cases and his lack of remorse were also highlighted by the court. The prosecution, led by Advocate Ajay Misar, argued for the maximum penalty, citing the brutality of the crime and the victim's age. The defence had urged the court to consider Kamble's age and requested life imprisonment instead.
Swift Investigation and Trial
Police arrested Kamble the same day the body was discovered. A 1,200-page chargesheet was filed within 16 days, and the special court delivered its execution verdict just 60 days after the arrest. Authorities said this reflects a crackdown on violence against women and girls. The case was proven through circumstantial evidence and the 'last seen together' theory.
Misar stated: 'The case was placed for the final judgement today. The court delivered its verdict. In this judgment, the prosecution concluded that all the charges against the accused were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The court concluded that the accused was guilty under all the sections of the IPC and declared him guilty.'
Public Outrage and Political Reaction
The incident sparked widespread protests in Nasrapur and other parts of Pune, with residents demanding the harshest punishment. Roads were blocked and rallies were held as anger mounted over the killing.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar welcomed the ruling, saying: 'The court's verdict in the deeply distressing case of the rape and murder of a minor girl from Nasrapur, in Pune district, reinforces faith in the judicial system.' He added: 'There is no place in society for such heinous acts. The safety of every girl and woman is this government's top priority, and the resolve to take stringent action against such crimes remains steadfast.'
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule also praised the judgment, stating: 'Finally, the victim little girl has received justice, and we all welcome this verdict. The investigating officers conducted the probe excellently and presented the evidence before the court.' She noted that the case stands as one of the fastest capital punishment verdicts in Maharashtra in recent years, underscoring the judiciary's resolve to act decisively in crimes against minors.
