Residents of Bhor and Rajgad in Pune district observed a bandh on Sunday to protest the alleged rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Nasrapur village. They demanded stringent action against the 65-year-old accused, who has been arrested by the police.
Shops Shut in Protest
Shops remained closed in both towns as a mark of protest. Calling the incident "heinous," residents expressed widespread public anger. "We kept our shops closed as a mark of protest and demand the strictest possible punishment for the accused," said Pravin More, a Bhor resident. Another resident, Rahul Shinde, emphasized that such incidents should not fade from public memory. "There must be concrete action to ensure no one dares to commit such crimes in future," he stated.
Tension and Protests Across Pune District
Tension prevailed across Pune district, with political parties and social organizations staging protests at several locations. A group of activists attempted to block traffic at the Khed Shivapur toll plaza, but police intervened. Workers of Shiv Sena and NCP (SP) also held demonstrations separately in Pune city, demanding capital punishment for the accused.
Police Action and Accused Background
Police confirmed that the arrested accused is a 65-year-old labourer from the village and a habitual offender in child abuse cases. On Saturday night, protesters, along with the victim's family, blocked the Mumbai–Bengaluru highway near Wadgaon Bridge for over four hours, seeking assurance of strict action from the state government.
Victim's Family Demands Death Penalty
On Sunday, the victim's father released a video message stating that the family would not meet any politician until the accused is awarded the death penalty. Several leaders, including NCP (SP)'s Rohit Pawar, BJP's Medha Kulkarni, and Shiv Sena's Neelam Gorhe, had already visited the family in the morning. Others, such as minister Madhuri Misal and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, cancelled their visits following the family's appeal.
Political Reactions
Medha Kulkarni criticized the police for allegedly resorting to a lathicharge on Saturday night to disperse protesters at Wadgaon Bridge. "There are videos of the lathicharge, and that should not have happened," she said. Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal also condemned the action, stating: "Trying to suppress the voices of those demanding justice through the police machinery does not befit the person sitting in the Chief Minister's chair."
Rohit Pawar alleged that the child rights commission and the state women's commission had not intervened in the matter. He urged the government to ensure a speedy trial, appoint competent legal representation, and secure the death penalty for the accused, as demanded by the victim's family.
Neelam Gorhe stressed the need to increase the number of fast-track courts for crimes against women. She noted that only around 40 of the proposed 138 courts are operational and added that she would follow up with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde to expedite the process.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to questions about the alleged lathicharge, said some elements had been trying to prevent the victim's family from leaving the site even after they had agreed to disperse. He acknowledged that the crime had triggered widespread public anger but cautioned against attempts to "misuse the situation." "The incident is serious and the anger of people is natural. However, some people were trying to take advantage of the situation and give it a different spin," he told reporters in Nagpur on Sunday.
Fadnavis said he had personally spoken to the victim's father and assured him that the government would make all efforts to secure the death penalty for the accused. He added that a written assurance had also been given to the family. The CM stated that the case would be tried in a fast-track court and that the government would expedite all legal procedures. "While everyone wants the accused to be hanged publicly, such things cannot be done in a democratic system, as it functions according to the law," he said.
