India | Pune rape victim’s father demands death penalty, asks politicians to delay visit until justice is served

The father of a four-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Nasrapur, Pune district, Maharashtra, on May 3 requested political leaders to refrain from visiting his home until his daughter receives justice and the accused is sentenced to death.

In a self-recorded video, the father made a “humble request” on behalf of his family, asking that no politicians come to offer condolences at this time. He said the family would only meet politicians once justice is served in the case. “We are currently in Dehu to immerse my daughter’s ashes. During this time, I’ve been informed by relatives and friends that several politicians have been visiting our home to offer condolences etc. I want to make one humble request on behalf of my family and myself until my daughter receives justice and the accused is awarded the death penalty, no politician should come to our home to meet us. We will only be open to meeting anyone, including politicians, once justice is served. Until then, we request that no visits be made to offer condolences,” he said in the video.

The accused is a 65-year-old man from the surrounding area who allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered the girl. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Singh Gill, confirmed the arrest of the accused shortly after the girl went missing and relatives began searching for her. CCTV footage showed the accused with the child.

Superintendent Gill said, “The accused is a 65-year-old man who lives in the surrounding area. He lured the girl and did this…We arrested the accused within an hour of receiving information…The accused has two similar cases registered against him, including a POCSO case in 2015. Investigation reveals that he is of this tendency.”

The incident sparked criticism of the Maharashtra government. UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut described the state government as “useless” and “incompetent.” He said, “A 4-year-old girl was raped in this State. Criminals should fear the law. This government is responsible for this. The government is busy with VIP security and spends a month each touring Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam, and Bengal. Who will look after things here?”

Raut added, “Perhaps the mother of the child who was raped and murdered could be this government’s own ‘Ladli Behna’. Can you buy that mother’s emotions for Rs 1,500? The real accused is this government, which is useless and incompetent. What is the police doing there? What is happening in this country? The Constitution is being violated. And you are lathi-charging the public who came out carrying that child’s dead body.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the Opposition for failing to reflect on their own conduct during their tenure. Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis called it a “laughable matter” that those involved in the “cash for transfer” scandal were attempting to “lecture” the government.

He stated, “Opposition is that they never introspect or look into their own conduct. They fail to acknowledge what transpired during their own tenure. If people involved in ‘cash-for-transfers’ scandals attempt to lecture us, it would truly be a laughable matter.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday that he spoke to the father of a minor girl who was raped and killed allegedly by a 65-year-old man at Narsapur in Pune district on Friday.

Fadnavis said he reassured the girl’s father that the Government would expedite the trial and ensure the accused would get a death sentence.

“I spoke to the girl’s father twice. I reassured them that the trial in the case would be expedited. We will ensure there are no lapses. The accused will get a death sentence at the earliest,” he said.

Commenting on the massive protest and bandh call given by the villagers in the region, Fadnavis said, “The incident is horrible. We can understand the public outrage.”

However, he said, “Under the pretext of taking up the cause, some elements are trying to politicise the matter. I appeal to everybody to understand the sensitivity of the case. Therefore, our effort is to ensure justice by taking the case to a logical end as soon as possible.”

“We have to understand that in a democratic system, we have to follow the laws,” the chief minister said, apparently referring to angry outbursts where some people demanded capital punishment in a public chowk.

Political and social activists are making a beeline for the village in Bhor taluka to meet the girl’s family members.

Source: DPN, News outlets, May 3, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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