Pune 4-year-old rape-murder: Athawale demands death penalty for accused
Synopsis
A 65-year-old man allegedly lured, sexually assaulted, and killed a four-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Pune — reportedly crushing her with a stone. CCTV footage led to his detention. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has demanded the death penalty, villagers have blockaded the Pune-Bengaluru Highway, and POCSO charges have been filed in what is being described as one of Maharashtra's most disturbing crimes in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
A 65-year-old man is accused of raping and murdering a four-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Bhor Taluka, Pune .
The accused was identified using CCTV footage and is currently in police custody.
Charges under POCSO and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been filed.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale demanded the accused be "sentenced to death by hanging." Villagers staged a blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway demanding immediate justice.
Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam confirmed the investigation is underway and the government is seeking the strictest punishment.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday, 2 May condemned the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Pune, calling it a "stain on humanity itself" and demanding that the accused be "swiftly sentenced to death by hanging." The incident, which occurred in the Bhor Taluka region of Pune, has triggered widespread outrage across Maharashtra.
What Happened in Nasrapur
According to initial reports, the girl went missing in the afternoon, prompting a frantic search by her family. Her mutilated body was subsequently discovered in the area. A 65-year-old man stands accused of sexually assaulting and brutally murdering the child, reportedly crushing her with a stone. CCTV footage from the vicinity reportedly showed the accused leading the toddler away, which helped police identify and detain him. POCSO charges along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been filed against the accused.
What the Government and Officials Said
Taking to social media platform X, Union Minister Athawale wrote, "The heinous assault on the little girl in Nasrapur, Pune, is a stain on humanity itself, and today, words fail us to even express our condemnation. This grief is truly unbearable and beyond endurance. The administration must immediately conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that this beast is swiftly sentenced to death by hanging. We will not sit in silence until justice is served for this innocent soul."
Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam, speaking to IANS, confirmed that an investigation is underway. "The investigation is currently underway, and it is our effort that the strictest punishment be given to that person," Kadam said.
Shiv Sena National Spokesperson Shaina NC described the crime in stark terms: "What has our society come to? A four-year-old girl and a 65-year-old man who lured her, who sexually assaulted her and killed her. The CCTV footage shows how she was shoved under cow dung. This has triggered such outrage." She added that POCSO charges and BNS sections have been filed in the case.
Community Outrage and Highway Blockade
The crime has sparked immediate and intense public anger in Nasrapur. Hundreds of villagers staged a blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway in protest, demanding swift and uncompromising justice. Despite the suspect being in police custody, the community's fury has not subsided. Police have taken cognisance of the protests.
Legal Proceedings and What Comes Next
The accused has been detained by police, and the investigation is reportedly progressing. Charges under POCSO and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been registered. Multiple political leaders have called for the death penalty, and public pressure on the administration to fast-track the case is mounting. The incident has reignited a broader national conversation about child safety and the adequacy of existing legal protections for minors in India.
Point of View
Yet conviction rates remain uneven and trials drag on for years. The political demand for the death penalty is immediate and loud; the harder, quieter work of strengthening child protection infrastructure, witness support, and fast-track courts rarely receives the same urgency. Until accountability extends beyond the individual accused to the systems that failed to protect the child, these tragedies will keep repeating.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Nasrapur, Pune?
A 65-year-old man allegedly lured, sexually assaulted, and murdered a four-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Bhor Taluka, Pune. The child went missing in the afternoon and her body was later discovered by her family. The accused was identified through CCTV footage and has been detained by police.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
Police have filed charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the 65-year-old accused, who is currently in custody.
What did Union Minister Ramdas Athawale say about the Pune case?
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale called the crime a 'stain on humanity' and demanded that the accused be swiftly sentenced to death by hanging. He stated that he would not remain silent until justice is served for the victim.
Why are villagers protesting on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway?
Hundreds of villagers from Nasrapur staged a blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway to demand immediate and uncompromising justice for the four-year-old victim. The protest reflects widespread public outrage over the brutality of the crime.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam confirmed that the investigation is currently underway. The accused is in police custody and authorities have stated their intention to seek the strictest possible punishment under the law.
