Thousands of protesters took to the streets in India after a 65-year-old man, Bhimaji Kamble, allegedly raped and murdered a four-year-old girl in Pune district. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for the strictest punishment, including the death penalty.
Details of the Incident
The crime occurred in Nasrapur village, Bhor taluka, Pune, where the child was staying at her grandmother's home during the summer holidays. On Friday, 1st May 2026, the girl was playing near the Ram Mandir area in the afternoon when she suddenly went missing. When she did not return home, her family began searching for her, and villagers later joined the search.
CCTV footage from the area provided the first clue, showing the child being taken toward a cattle shed by a man. Based on this evidence, the search focused on the shed. During the search, the child's body was found hidden under a heap of cow dung inside the shed, sending shockwaves through the village. The police were immediately informed.
Police Investigation
According to the police investigation, the accused lured the girl to the shed, sexually assaulted her, and then killed her by crushing her with a stone. He attempted to hide his identity and cover up the crime by burying the body under cow dung. After the discovery, villagers began searching for the man seen in the CCTV footage. He was eventually found near a river in the village and apprehended. When questioned by locals about the child, he denied involvement, claiming he had done nothing.
Further investigation revealed that the accused is a habitual offender. Police found that two similar cases had been reported against him around five to ten years ago, raising serious concerns about how he had remained free.
Protests and Demands
The incident led to massive anger among villagers. When the child's body was brought near the local police station, emotional scenes unfolded as family members broke down. A large number of villagers gathered, demanding strict punishment. Protesters blocked roads, calling for the harshest punishment, including the death penalty, for the accused. Some even demanded that the accused be handed over to them. The police quickly reached the spot after receiving information and took the accused into custody.
Legal Proceedings
A case has been registered under serious charges, including rape and murder, and further investigation is ongoing. Sandeep Singh Gill, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, assured that the case will be handled on priority. He stated that the charge sheet will be filed within 15 days and the trial will be conducted in a fast-track court.
