Pune, June 29
A special fast-track court in Pune on Monday sentenced a man to death for the rape and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Nasrapur, delivering its verdict just 60 days after the crime in one of the swiftest conclusions to a child sexual assault case in recent years.
Special Judge S.R. Salunke held Bhimrao Kamble guilty under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, rape and murder. The court had convicted the accused four days earlier and reserved its order on sentencing, which was pronounced on Monday.
Describing the case as falling within the "rarest of rare" category, the court said the brutality of the crime warranted the death penalty. In its observations, the judge said the accused continued to sexually assault the child even after her death and noted that the victim's body bore 18 injuries, reflecting what the court described as extreme cruelty.
The court further observed that even capital punishment appeared "insufficient" considering the nature of the offence.
The prosecution completed the trial at an accelerated pace after police filed the chargesheet within 16 days of the incident. During the proceedings, government prosecutors examined more than 55 witnesses and relied on forensic, medical and circumstantial evidence to establish the prosecution's case.
References were made to several landmark judgments, including the Nirbhaya case, Shankar Khade case, Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab, and the Bashar Ali case, while citing 12 other death penalty precedents.
The court said the prosecution had presented strong and irrefutable evidence, leaving no reasonable basis for the accused to escape punishment. It noted that both the prosecution and defence were given full opportunity to present detailed arguments before sentencing.
Judge Salunke commended the investigating officers for what he described as a thorough and professional investigation, while also praising the Special Public Prosecutor for the diligent and honest conduct of the trial.
The judgment was delivered in the presence of the victim’s family, citizens, and various social organizations who were awaiting the outcome.
This case has shaken the entire state of Maharashtra, highlighting the justice system’s capability to deliver swift and stringent punishment in cases involving minors.
000
