A special sessions court in Pune has awarded the death penalty to Bhimrao Kamble (65) for the brutal rape and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Nasrapur. Pronouncing the capital punishment, Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe observed that the horrific nature of the crime falls squarely under the “rarest of the rare” category, ordering that the convict be “hanged till death.”
The Verdict and Court Observations
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court convicted Kamble after the prosecution established an “unbroken chain of circumstantial and forensic evidence.”
The court rejected the convict’s claims of innocence, noting a complete lack of remorse: The court observed that the accused showed zero signs of repentance or potential for rehabilitation. Special Prosecutor Ajay Misar revealed that the 65-year-old had a disturbing past, with prior involvements in offenses against a 62-year-old woman, a 17-year-old girl, and an animal.
Timeline of the Crime (May 1)
The victim was visiting her grandmother’s house in Nasrapur for her summer vacation when the tragedy occurred. Between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM on May 1, Kamble lured the toddler away by promising her snacks and a newborn calf. He took her to a secluded shed near a cattle barn, where he brutally sexually assaulted and murdered her. The autopsy report revealed 18 distinct injuries on the toddler’s body, indicating a prolonged and exceptionally violent assault.
A Swift Investigation and Trial
The brutal crime triggered massive public outrage and protests across Maharashtra, prompting the state to place the case on an aggressive fast-track timeline:
The Pune Rural Police filed a comprehensive chargesheet within just 15 days of the crime. Special Prosecutor Ajay Misar examined 55 witnesses, including forensic experts, medical officers, and child witnesses who successfully identified Kamble in a test identification parade. The court accepted a mountain of validated evidence, including CCTV footage, DNA matching, medical findings, a potency test, and a mental fitness assessment.
Government Reaction
Following the landmark judgment, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe praised the judiciary for the remarkably swift trial. She reiterated that the state government treated the case with the utmost urgency, emphasizing that such monstrous crimes against minors must always be met with the absolute maximum punishment under the law.
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