Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government was committed to securing the death penalty for the accused in the Nasrapur (Pune) rape and murder case. He announced that the case would be fast-tracked in the court while ensuring there are no loopholes that could allow the accused to escape punishment.
Addressing the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis said he spoke twice with the victim's father on Saturday. "In a democracy, even if people feel such a person (rape accused) should be hanged in the middle of a public square, it cannot be done that way. But we will ensure that no one can misuse the law," he said, adding that a written assurance to this effect has been given to the victim's family.
Fadnavis said public anger over the incident was natural, but alleged that some people were trying to exploit the situation for other purposes. He thanked the victim's father for agreeing to call off a planned protest after discussions with the police commissioner. "Unfortunately, some people were not even letting the father leave, they were trying to stop him. We know who those people are," Fadnavis said, adding that no action against them was being considered for now.
The CM said a thorough probe into the criminal record of the accused was underway. "The accused had a case registered against him in 2019 as well," said Fadnavis, adding it would be examined whether any lapses occurred at that time. "We will ensure that he does not get out of this in any manner," Fadnavis said.
In a separate remark, Fadnavis criticized Rahul Gandhi, stating that he has no moral authority to comment on such issues. The chief minister emphasized that the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure justice for the victim and her family, and that the legal process will be followed meticulously to secure the maximum punishment for the accused.
