Pune Rape-Murder Case: In a remarkable ruling, a special fast-track court in Pune sentenced a 65-year-old, Bhimrao Kamble, for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Maharashtra. Delivering swift justice in what it termed the "rarest of rare" cases, the court handed down the capital punishment just 55 days after the horrific crime was committed on May 1.
The case is often cited as one of the fastest trials in Maharashtra's recent legal history, thanks to the swift police action, the detailed 1,200-page charge sheet, and the daily in-camera hearings before Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe.
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What Did The Lawyers Say
Public prosecutor Ajay Misar claimed that the case falls among the rarest of the rare cases, asking for the death penalty for the accused. Meanwhile, the defence cited the accused's age and denial of guilt as mitigating factors.
To emphasise the demand for the maximum possible penalty, the prosecution cited 12 landmark Supreme Court judgments that discuss the necessity of capital punishment and the death penalty for heinous crimes involving minors.
“The prosecution cited 12 landmark Supreme Court judgments in court, which debated the need for capital punishment and the death penalty for such crimes and the court agreed,” Advocate Misar noted regarding the judicial reception of their arguments.”
The verdict came after the court recorded the testimony of several witnesses and examined a large amount of forensic and circumstantial evidence, leading to the conviction on June 25.
Timeline of Events
On May 1, a four-year-old girl playing outside her grandmother's house in Nasrapur village was lured and taken to a cowshed, sexually assaulted, and murdered. Villagers identified the accused based on CCTV footage and handed him over to the police.
The incident sparked widespread protests, including a highway blockade near the Navale Bridge. The victim's funeral was held under police protection. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to expedite the investigation.
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On May 15, the police filed a 1,200-page charge sheet, incorporating forensic and DNA evidence. Following this, the court framed charges under provisions of POCSO and the Indian Penal Code and ordered daily in-camera hearings.
After recording the statements of 55 witnesses, both sides concluded their final arguments. The prosecution demanded the death penalty.
On June 25, the Pune court found Bhimrao Kamble guilty of kidnapping, rape, and murder, citing an unbroken chain of evidence.