Death Penalty Verdict Satisfying: Nasrapur Rape-Murder Victim’s Father

Pune: The father of the three-year-old victim of the Nasrapur rape and murder case on Monday expressed satisfaction over the court's verdict of handing death penalty to the convict, and said the family now wants the execution of the court order.

A special court on Monday sentenced the convict -- 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble -- to death for kidnapping, raping and murdering the minor girl in Nasrapur village in Bhor taluka of Pune district, a chilling crime that sparked widespread public outrage and protests across Maharashtra.

‘Rarest of Rare’

The incident took place on May 1 and the court had convicted the accused on June 25, within sixty days of the crime.

Terming the case "rarest of the rare", Additional Judge S R Salunkhe pronounced the sentence.

As the judge pronounced the capital punishment, the victim's family broke down in court.

Talking to reporters later, the father of the toddler victim said, "We are satisfied with the decision given by the honourable court. We already demanded strict action against the accused. The demand will be fulfilled once the order of the death penalty is executed."

Kamble was accused of luring the young girl with the promise of snacks and showing her a newborn calf in Nasrapur village in Pune district. He took her to a shed near a cattle barn, subjected her to sexual and unnatural assault, and subsequently murdered her by gagging her and inflicting chest injuries.

Charges of kidnapping, molestation, rape and murder, along with offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were framed against him.

CM Fadnavis Hails Court

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday hailed the special court's verdict in the Nasrapur rape and murder case as a "new benchmark" in speedy justice, saying the convict was handed triple death sentence within 60 days of the crime.Making a statement in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, he said the accused was convicted on June 25, the 55th day after the incident, and was awarded the death sentence on Monday after the examination of 55 witnesses and completion of all legal procedures.

Terming the case "rarest of the rare", Additional Judge S R Salunkhe in Pune on Monday sentenced the 65-year-old convict, Bhimrao Kamble, to death for kidnapping, raping and killing a three-year-old girl in Nasrapur village in Bhor taluka of Pune district. Three of the offences he was charged under carry the prescribed punishment of capital punishment.

Speaking in the House, Fadnavis, who heads the home ministry, said, "I believe the court has set a new example. If we want to create a deterrent against such brutal criminals, justice must be delivered in time."

The CM thanked the judiciary, particularly the trial court judge, Justice Salunkhe, for conducting continuous hearings and even cancelling holidays to ensure the case was concluded expeditiously.