A special court in Pune on Thursday convicted 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a three-year-old girl in Nasrapur village last month. The court will announce the quantum of punishment on June 29.
Conviction and Charges
Additional Sessions Judge (Special Judge) S. R. Salunkhe found Kamble guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including kidnapping, molestation, rape, and murder. Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar confirmed that the prosecution successfully proved all charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Misar stated, “The court held that the prosecution proved all charges. The accused denied the offence and claimed the child was injured after he slipped while showing her a calf, but the evidence proved otherwise.”
Prosecution's Evidence and Arguments
The prosecution relied on 12 landmark Supreme Court judgments to argue that the case qualifies as the 'rarest of the rare,' warranting the death penalty. Misar highlighted the brutal nature of the crime: “We explained the victim’s age and the 39 minutes of continuous assault. The post-mortem report showed 18 injuries. There was rape, anal penetration, and oral sexual assault. The accused’s semen was found on the child’s hand and neck.”
The court accepted CCTV footage, DNA profiling, medical evidence, potency tests, and soundness tests as properly proved. Additionally, children who witnessed the accused taking the victim identified him during an identification parade.
Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty
The prosecution argued for the death penalty, asserting that Kamble is beyond reform. Misar noted, “He has prior offences involving a 62-year-old woman, a 17-year-old girl, an animal, and now this child. He is a threat to society and has no right to live if set free.”
The court heard detailed arguments on sentencing and, as per Supreme Court guidelines in death penalty cases, granted the accused time to present mitigating circumstances. The defence cited Kamble’s age and his denial of the crime as mitigating factors, submitting two case laws. All submissions are now complete.
Incident Details
The crime occurred between 3 pm and 4 pm on May 1, when Kamble allegedly lured the victim with the promise of snacks and showing her a newborn calf in Nasrapur village, Pune district. He abducted her to a shed near a cattle barn, subjected her to sexual and unnatural assault, and then murdered her by gagging and inflicting chest injuries.
Next Steps
The court has reserved the matter for June 29 to decide between the death penalty and life imprisonment. The decision will consider 12 case laws submitted by the prosecution, along with jail and family study reports of the accused.
