Pune: In a landmark verdict that has brought a sense of closure to a tragedy that shook the state of Maharashtra, a special fast-track court in Pune on Monday, June 29, 2026, sentenced 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble to death for the horrific rape and murder of a three-year-old girl. Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe, presiding over the case, classified the crime as falling within the “rarest of the rare” category, citing the extreme brutality and “total depravity” exhibited by the convict.
A Swift Pursuit of Justice
The incident, which occurred on May 1, 2026, in Nasrapur village of Bhor taluka, sparked widespread public outrage and intense protests, including a massive demonstration that saw angry villagers block the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway for several hours. Recognizing the gravity of the public outcry and the heinous nature of the crime, the state government acted swiftly. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, and a chargesheet spanning 1,200 pages was filed within a mere 15 days.
The trial itself moved at an unprecedented pace. Beginning on May 21, the court conducted daily in-camera hearings, examining 55 witnesses, including forensic experts, investigators, family members, and young witnesses, within two months of the crime.
The Prosecution’s Case
Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar, who was specifically appointed to the case, anchored the prosecution’s argument on a rigorous chain of circumstantial and scientific evidence. The court found that the prosecution had successfully reconstructed the sequence of events using six crucial CCTV clips. The footage showed the accused luring the toddler away on the pretext of showing her a newborn calf, with the child remaining in his custody for a 39-minute window in which the assault and subsequent murder took place.
Beyond the CCTV evidence, the prosecution presented a compelling case built on:
- DNA Profiling: Semen samples of the accused were found on the victim, providing conclusive scientific proof of his involvement.
- Medical Evidence: A post-mortem report detailed 18 distinct injuries on the toddler’s body, illustrating the extreme cruelty of the act.
- Identification Parade: Multiple child witnesses who saw the accused leading the victim away successfully identified him during the court-monitored parade.
“No Right to Live”
During the sentencing arguments, Prosecutor Misar painted a chilling picture of the convict, noting his prior criminal history involving assaults on a 17-year-old girl and a 62-year-old woman. He argued that Kamble was “beyond reform” and a continued threat to society.
Judge Salunkhe, in his order, noted that the crime was not merely a loss of life, but a cold-blooded act driven by pure lust, devoid of any provocation. The judge remarked that the brutality displayed, including the sexual assault of the victim even after her death, shocked the conscience of society. Despite the defence’s attempt to cite the convict’s advanced age as a mitigating factor, the court concluded that the nature of the offence left no room for leniency.
