Pune Court Sentences Bhimrao Kamble To Death For Brutal Rape And Murder of 3-Year-Old Girl

A Pune court has delivered a decisive verdict in a case that gripped the region with horror, sentencing 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble to death for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl. Terming the offense a "rarest of rare" crime marked by extreme brutality, Pune District and Sessions Court Judge SR Salunkhe handed down the capital punishment just days after convicting Kamble on charges of kidnapping, molestation, rape, and murder.

"The crime shocks even the conscience of society," Judge Salunkhe stated on Monday during the sentencing.

A Shocking Betrayal and Swift Arrest

The tragic incident unfolded on May 1 in Nasrapur village, located within the Pune district. Investigators revealed that Kamble deliberately targeted the vulnerable child, luring her away by offering snacks and promising to show her a newborn calf. He then brought her to a secluded shed near a cattle barn, where he subjected her to a violent sexual assault. The three-year-old tragically succumbed to chest injuries and suffocation during the attack.

The nightmare came to light when the child's family realized she was missing and launched a frantic search, ultimately discovering her body. Law enforcement quickly zeroed in on Kamble after reviewing local CCTV footage, which captured him leading the young girl away. This critical evidence led to his immediate identification and arrest.

No Room for Mercy: Court Condemns 'Inhuman' Act

During the legal proceedings, the prosecution aggressively pushed for the maximum penalty, citing 12 landmark Supreme Court rulings on capital punishment to argue that Kamble's actions fell squarely within the "rarest of rare" threshold. Judge Salunkhe firmly agreed, noting that the sheer severity of the child's injuries proved the inhumanity of the act, leaving no room for leniency-especially given Kamble's history of prior involvement in a sexual assault case.

Condemning the absolute lack of remorse shown by the accused, Judge Salunkhe observed:

"The offence was committed outrageously and involved inhuman treatment and torture of the victim. The victim was an innocent, helpless child. The murder was committed to satisfy lust, which evidences total depravity. It was a cold-blooded murder without provocation. The crime was committed so brutally that it shocks not only the judicial conscience but even the conscience of society."

The judge further emphasized the dangerous nature of the perpetrator, adding:

"The thirst for lust of the accused is not extinguished even at such an age. Rather, it has reached a very dangerous stage. The injuries noted on the body of the victim reflect the inhuman behaviour of the accused with a child of just three years."

Addressing the calculated defiance of the convict, the court also remarked:

"Whatever the accused wanted to do with the child, he did 'fearlessly, most violently and without bothering about consequences, because he had prior experience that even if prosecuted, nothing would happen in court.'"

Round-the-Clock Investigation Secures Capital Punishment

The rapid resolution of the case was made possible by an intense, coordinated effort between a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the prosecution. Pune Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill lauded the relentless work that went into securing the death penalty, noting that the defense's pleas for a life sentence were rightfully rejected by the court.

"The accused's lawyer had requested that a sentence of life imprisonment be awarded. However, the court observed that there was no need to show any mercy or leniency in this case," Gill stated.

Reflecting on the high-pressure environment surrounding the case, Gill explained the scale of the operation:

"Work was carried out day and night. In-camera hearings were held every day. Our role was up to completing the investigation. It had become a question of law and order. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. Evidence was collected over approximately 15 days."

He further credited the community and meticulous police work for the airtight case:

"A precise charge sheet of 1,200 pages was filed. All 55 witnesses came forward, and I thank them as well. The investigation was carried out with sensitivity, which resulted in the accused being sentenced to death."

State Leadership Welcomes the Landmark Verdict

The swift delivery of justice drew immediate reactions from the highest levels of the state government. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly welcomed the court's decision, declaring that individuals capable of such heinous acts have absolutely no place in civilized society.

Fadnavis commended the judiciary for its resolute stance, viewing the verdict as a powerful testament to the state's unwavering commitment to law and order. The Chief Minister also personally reached out to Pune SP Sandeep Singh Gill and Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar to congratulate them, highly praising the investigative agencies for wrapping up both the comprehensive probe and the subsequent trial in record time.