Nasrapur Rape-Murder Convict Awarded Death Penalty

A special court in Pune has sentenced 65-year-old Bhimrao Prabhakar Kamble to death for the brutal rape and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Bhor taluka. Calling the offence a “rarest of rare” case, the court held that the crime deserved the highest punishment under law.

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Special Judge S.R. Salunke pronounced the death sentence on Monday after convicting Kamble last week and reserving the quantum of punishment.

The horrific crime took place on May 1, Maharashtra Day, when the accused sexually assaulted the toddler before murdering her in Nasrapur village. The case sparked widespread public outrage and demands for the strictest possible punishment.

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution argued that the accused had planned the crime in a cold and calculated manner and showed no sign of remorse throughout the trial. Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar urged the court to impose the death penalty, stating that the offence was heinous, cruel and shocking to society, and that a strong legal message was necessary to deter crimes against women and children.

The prosecution also relied on 12 landmark Supreme Court judgments while arguing that the case fell within the “rarest of rare” category warranting capital punishment. The defence was represented by Advocate Himmatrao Suryawanshi.

While delivering the verdict, the court observed that the prosecution had successfully established the accused’s guilt based on DNA evidence, forensic reports, CCTV footage, circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies. Medical examination further revealed that the victim had suffered 18 grievous injuries, highlighting the brutality of the assault.

The court also took note of allegations that the accused had previously been involved in two separate cases of sexual assault, which the prosecution cited while seeking the maximum punishment.

Kamble was convicted under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to rape, murder, assault and criminal force, along with several provisions of the POCSO Act. The court held that all the charges framed in the chargesheet had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The verdict is being seen as one of the most significant judgments in a child sexual assault case in Maharashtra, reinforcing the judiciary’s firm stance against crimes involving minors.

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