Outrage Erupts in Pune as Family Demands Death Penalty for Accused in Rape-Murder of 3-Year-Old

PUNE: A complete shutdown paralysed the Bhor-Rajgad region in Pune district on Sunday amid mounting public fury over the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl, as her relatives insisted they would not engage with any politicians until the accused receives the death sentence.

Local residents enforced a bandh in response to the horrific crime in Nasrapur village of Bhor taluka, keeping shops shuttered throughout the area. The 65-year-old suspect, a village labourer and father of seven children, was promptly arrested. Authorities allege he has a history of child abuse offences.

The girl disappeared on Friday afternoon while playing near her home. A desperate search by family members led them to a neighbour’s CCTV footage, which captured the accused taking the child towards a cattle shed roughly 700 metres away. Her body was later recovered from under a pile of cow dung at the site.

Tension escalated across the district as protesters attempted to block traffic at the Khed Shivapur toll plaza. The previous night, demonstrators along with the victim’s family halted traffic on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Wadgaon bridge for over four hours, pressing the state government for firm assurances of justice. In a video statement, the child’s father declared that his family would refuse meetings with politicians until the death penalty is guaranteed.

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Several political leaders visited the grieving family during the day. However, state minister Madhuri Misal and Maratha quota campaigner Manoj Jarange called off their planned visits in line with the family’s request.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the public anger as understandable but warned against any attempts to politicise the tragedy. He confirmed having spoken directly with the victim’s father and providing a written assurance that the government would seek the death penalty. “The case will be fast-tracked in a special court with expedited procedures,” Fadnavis stated. He clarified, however, that demands for public execution could not be fulfilled, as the democratic system operates strictly within the framework of law.

Reports of police using lathicharge during Saturday night’s protests drew sharp criticism. BJP leader Medha Kulkarni remarked that such action “should not have happened.” Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal accused the administration of attempting to silence demands for justice.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger safeguards for children in rural areas.