4-year-old Pune girl sexually assaulted, murdered by 65-year-old man; protest erupts

Police said a four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Pune district, and a 65-year-old man with a criminal record has been arrested. Locals staged protests, demanding strict punishment for the accused.

In Short

• Police said the victim was a four-year-old girl from Pune district
• Officers arrested a 65-year-old labourer in connection with the case
• The accused was reported to have a criminal background, police said

A four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered by a 65-year-old labourer in a village in Maharashtra’s Pune, triggering widespread outrage, protests, and political condemnation. The accused, who has a prior criminal record, has been arrested, and police have assured swift action, including filing a chargesheet within 15 days and conducting the trial in a fast-track court.

According to police, the incident took place on Friday when the accused allegedly lured the child with the promise of food and took her to a shed in a cattle enclosure in Pune’s Bhor area.

"The accused allegedly lured the child with the promise of food and took her to a shed in a cattle enclosure, where he sexually assaulted her and killed her," Pune Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Singh Gill said.

The girl, who had reportedly been visiting her maternal grandmother during school holidays, went missing in the afternoon, prompting a search by her family.

During the search, CCTV footage from a nearby residence showed the accused taking the child towards the shed, which led to his identification and arrest.

The victim’s body was later found concealed inside the shed. Police said a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

VILLAGERS PROTEST, DEMAND ACTION

The incident sparked intense anger among local residents, with hundreds gathering at a police outpost demanding strict action.

Protesters staged a blockade on the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway, causing traffic disruptions.

Villagers also reportedly resisted initial police efforts to move the body for post-mortem, demanding immediate justice and harsh punishment for the accused.

SP Gill further said the authorities acted quickly after being informed. "There was a tragic incident at Nasrapur yesterday in which a 4-year-old girl was murdered. The accused in this case is 65 years old. We caught hold of the accused and arrested him. The investigation is ongoing".

Gill added that the accused had a criminal history. "The accused works as a wager. He works in the villages nearby. He had two cases filed against him in 1998 and 2015, in which he was acquitted".

POLITICAL LEADERS REACT STRONGLY

Noted political leaders in the state delivered a harsh condemnation of the crime and demanded the strictest punishment for the perpetrator.

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said, "How do such criminals roam freely in society? When I was the Home Minister during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government's tenure, we approved the Shakti Act, which is pending final approval from the Central Government".

He added, "When there is an urgent need for this law in the state, the Centre and the state government are passing the buck to each other instead of implementing it and wasting time," and asserted, "Had this strong law been in force, this monster (the accused) would have received the death penalty within 15 days".

NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP, Supriya Sule wrote, "A vile scoundrel committed atrocities on a four-year-old girl and murdered her. This incident is extremely infuriating, heart-numbing, and a black mark on humanity. Our stance is that the accused must receive the harshest of harsh punishments".

"I request the Honourable Chief Minister to kindly issue orders to the Home Department to instruct a swift investigation into this crime," she added.

Authorities have appealed for calm and assured residents that justice will be delivered swiftly. Meanwhile, police have assured appropriate action into the matter with further investigation underway.

- Ends