Pune police on Tuesday stated that the autopsy report has identified asphyxia as the cause of death of a four-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Pune last week. The 65-year-old accused, a labourer by profession, allegedly gagged the victim by stuffing a cloth in her mouth, leading to suffocation.
Accused's Criminal Background
The accused has a prior criminal record. According to police, he was booked in molestation cases in 1998 and 2015 but was acquitted in both instances. The girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered by him in Narsapur, Bhor tehsil of Pune district, on May 1, triggering widespread outrage and protests.
Autopsy Findings
A senior police official said, "The post-mortem findings point to death due to asphyxia. Prima facie, the accused gagged the victim by stuffing a cloth in her mouth, which led to suffocation." The autopsy report also noted injuries on the child's body.
According to police, the accused allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food and took her to a cattle enclosure, where he sexually assaulted her before killing her. He was later arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Public Outrage and Protests
The incident sparked widespread outrage in Bhor, with hundreds of villagers gathering outside the local police outpost last week to demand strict action. Protesters also blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case.
Government Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the government would seek the death penalty for the accused and ensure a fast-tracked trial to deliver justice swiftly. Members of the accused's family have also called for the harshest possible punishment.
The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.
