Pune court convicts a 65-year-old for rape and murder of 3-year-old within 2 months of crime

A special court in Pune on June 25 convicted a sixty-five-year-old man named Bhimrao Kamble for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Pune, following a trial that concluded within two months of the crime. 

Special Judge S R Salunkhe indicated that the quantum of punishment will be pronounced on June 29.

The court held the accused, Kamble, guilty on all charges levelled against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, following a swift trial that concluded in 55 days from the date of the crime.

Special public prosecutor Ajay Misar, for the State, and the minor’s victim's father have urged the judge to award the death sentence to the accused, contending that exemplary punishment was necessary to deter others from committing such heinous offences.

The crime had occurred on May 1. Kamble was accused of luring the girl away from a temple with the promise of snacks and showing her a newborn calf. 

The victim was visiting her grandmother at the time of the incident.

The prosecution alleged that Kamble took the child to a cowshed nearby, sexually assaulted her and killed her, before attempting to conceal her body in the shed. 

The prosecution's case was built on a chain of evidence including CCTV footage showing the accused leading the girl away, DNA analysis, forensic science laboratory reports, a post-mortem report, and testimonies from 82 witnesses.

The chargesheet of approximately 1,100 pages was filed within 14 days of the crime.

The Bombay High Court had directed day-to-day in-camera hearings to ensure a speedy trial.