Mumbai, May 2 (IANS) On the Pune minor’s rape and murder case, Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam on Saturday said that the investigation is currently underway, and the effort is on to ensure that the strictest punishment is given to the rapist.

Speaking to IANS, Yogesh Kadam said, “The investigation is currently underway, and it is our effort that the strictest punishment be given to that person.”

Shiv Sena National Spokesperson Shaina NC said, “What has our society come to? A four‑year‑old girl and a 65‑year‑old man who lured her, who sexually assaulted her and killed her. The CCTV footage shows how she was shoved under cow dung. This has triggered such outrage. Hundreds of villagers have rushed to the police chowki. The police are taking cognisance of it. But I think, as a society, it’s a larger question on what has become of us. This is not just Kalyug. This is the worst kind of atrocity against a four‑year‑old child. And POCSO charges have been filed, as has the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, under various Sections.”

In a chilling reminder of the growing insecurity being faced by the most vulnerable members of our society, the Bhor Taluka region of Pune has been rocked by a crime of unimaginable cruelty. A 65-year-old man stands accused of the rape and brutal murder of a four-year-old girl, reportedly ending her life by crushing her with a stone.

The sheer depravity of this act, committed against a child who could barely speak, let alone understand the evil she was facing — has sparked a wave of justified fury.

In Nasrapur, outraged villagers have staged a blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway. Despite the suspect being in police custody, the community’s demand is visceral and clear: They want immediate, uncompromising justice.

As per the initial information, the incident came to light when the girl went missing in the afternoon and her family started a frantic search. During the search her mutilated and bloodied body was discovered.

CCTV footage from the area reportedly showed the accused old man taking the toddler along, which helped police identify and detain him.

The gruesome crime has triggered a massive wave of anger among residents. On Friday evening, when the child’s body was brought near the local police station, emotional scenes unfolded, as grieving family members broke down and villagers gathered in large numbers demanding justice.

A social activist said, “I stand with this grief-stricken community. While we operate under a system of law, the recurring failure of fast-track courts to deliver swift verdicts has eroded public trust. When justice is delayed for years, the deterrent effect vanishes, and the cycle of violence continues.”

Sandip Singh Gill, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police said, within 15 days the chargesheet will be filed against the accused and the cases will be run in fast track court. Gill assured the protesters, that police will take very strict action in the matter.

The accused has been taken into custody and an investigation is underway.

This tragedy is not isolated. Just days ago on April 30, a 38-year-old man was arrested in Greater Noida for allegedly strangling his 14-year-old stepdaughter and dumping her body in a forest. Preliminary investigations suggest a history of sexual assault.

–IANS

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