A special Pune Court has delivered a capital punishment verdict, sentencing 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble to death for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a three-year-old girl in Nasrapur village. This definitive judgment, pronounced by Additional Judge (special judge) S. R. Salunkhe on June 29, 2026, concludes a fast-tracked trial that has drawn significant national attention due to the heinous nature of the crime and the swiftness of the judicial process. The court unequivocally declared the case to fall within the ‘rarest of rare’ category, a legal standard in India for imposing the death penalty, citing the extreme brutality and depravity exhibited by the accused.

The conviction of Kamble occurred on June 25, 2026, less than two months after the incident on May 1, 2026. This rapid progression from crime to conviction and sentencing underscores the judiciary’s commitment to expedited justice in cases involving severe offenses against vulnerable populations, particularly children. The court’s decision has been widely noted for its firm stance against such atrocities, rejecting all mitigating factors presented by the defense.

Conviction and Sentencing by Special Pune Court

Additional Judge S. R. Salunkhe of the Special Pune Court formally convicted Bhimrao Kamble on June 25, 2026, finding him guilty of all charges framed by the prosecution. The charges included kidnapping, molestation, rape, and murder under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court’s pronouncement of guilt came after a meticulous review of overwhelming evidence presented during the in-camera trial.

On June 29, 2026, Judge Salunkhe announced the quantum of punishment, awarding the death penalty for two of the offenses and life imprisonment for another. This decision followed detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defense regarding aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar had vehemently argued for capital punishment, asserting that the case met the stringent criteria for the ‘rarest of rare’ category as defined by the Supreme Court of India.

Details of the Heinous Crime and Investigation

The horrific incident unfolded on May 1, 2026, in Nasrapur village, Bhor taluka, Pune district. Bhimrao Kamble lured the three-year-old victim, who was visiting her grandmother for summer vacation, to a nearby cattle shed on the pretext of showing her a newborn calf. Once inside the shed, Kamble subjected the child to brutal sexual and unnatural assault, subsequently murdering her by gagging and inflicting severe chest injuries. The prosecution further established that the accused continued to sexually assault the victim’s body even after her death, highlighting an unparalleled level of cruelty.

The subsequent investigation by the Pune Rural police was remarkably swift and thorough. A chargesheet, comprising 1,200 pages, was filed within just 15 days of the incident. The prosecution built an airtight case, presenting testimonies from 55 witnesses, including the victim’s mother, father, and grandmother. Crucial forensic and technical evidence, such as DNA profiling, CCTV footage showing Kamble leading the child to the shed, medical reports detailing 18 distinct injuries, and a post-mortem report confirming continuous exploitation for 39 minutes, were accepted as fully proven by the court. The meticulous gathering of evidence, including CCTV footage, underscores the importance of digital evidence in modern jurisprudence, a topic often debated in police body camera footage transparency cases.

Court Rejects Defence’s Plea for Leniency

During the sentencing arguments, the defense counsel sought leniency for Bhimrao Kamble, citing his advanced age of 65 years and his consistent denial of the crime. Kamble had maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming the child’s death was an accident resulting from an accidental fall in the cowshed. He stated he panicked and left her on a cot, fearing suspicion.

However, the prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar, strongly refuted these claims. Misar argued that Kamble was ‘beyond reform’ and presented evidence of his past criminal background, which included earlier allegations of molestation in 1998 (resulting in acquittal) and a 2015 case involving a minor relative (complaint later withdrawn). The prosecution contended that these prior instances, coupled with the current conviction, demonstrated a disturbing pattern and proved Kamble to be a serious danger to society. Misar cited 12 landmark Supreme Court judgments to support the demand for the death penalty, asserting that the case unequivocally fit the ‘rarest of rare’ category. The prosecution’s reliance on Supreme Court precedents highlights the critical role of higher courts in shaping legal interpretations, much like the US Supreme Court unanimously votes in various complex legal disputes.

Judge Salunkhe, in his ruling, explicitly rejected Kamble’s age as a mitigating factor. Instead, the court deemed his age an aggravating circumstance, noting that his ‘thirst for lust’ had not diminished but had reached a ‘very dangerous stage.’ The judge observed that Kamble’s depravity shocked the conscience of both the judiciary and society. He further stated that the offense was committed outrageously, involving inhuman treatment and torture of an innocent, helpless child, and constituted a cold-blooded murder committed to satisfy lust without provocation. The court also noted Kamble’s complete lack of remorse throughout the trial.

Broader Implications of the Nasrapur Verdict

The verdict in the Nasrapur child rape-murder case carries significant implications for the legal landscape concerning crimes against children in India. The speed with which the trial was conducted and the definitive nature of the sentencing send a strong message about the judiciary’s resolve to deliver swift justice in such sensitive matters. This aligns with the judiciary’s firm stance on crimes against children, echoing sentiments seen in cases involving a preliminary death sentence in child abuse matters. The incident itself had sparked widespread outrage across Maharashtra, leading to protests and a four-hour road blockade on the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had publicly assured a fast-track trial and appointed a special public prosecutor, reflecting the government’s commitment to securing the strictest possible punishment.

This case reinforces the legal principle of the ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine, which guides courts in determining whether capital punishment is warranted. The court’s detailed reasoning for classifying Kamble’s actions under this doctrine, including the extreme brutality, the victim’s vulnerability, the sexual assault post-mortem, and the accused’s lack of remorse and past record, provides a clear precedent. The court’s decision also resonates with broader legal discussions concerning child safety and accountability, as seen in a Vermont Court ruling on a child injury at a substation. The verdict serves as a powerful deterrent and a proof to the legal system’s capacity to respond decisively to crimes that deeply wound the collective conscience of society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key charges against Bhimrao Kamble?

Bhimrao Kamble was found guilty of kidnapping, molestation, rape, and murder under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The prosecution also proved charges related to unnatural sexual assault.

Why did the court reject Kamble’s age as a mitigating factor?