A special court in Pune on Thursday framed charges against the 65-year-old accused in the alleged sexual assault and murder of a minor girl at Nasrapur in Pune district, marking the commencement of the trial that will be conducted daily.
As reported by PTI, Special Judge S R Salunkhe ordered the proceedings to be held “in-camera” (behind closed doors) starting Friday, observing that there is strong prima facie evidence and a chargesheet against the accused Bhimrao Kamble.
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Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar, while arguing in the court, said that the accused is mentally sound and fit for trial. He also submitted a medical report to that effect alongside a list of 82 witnesses.
Following the arguments, the court has fast-tracked the matter to ensure daily hearings in view of the gravity of the crime.
According to the prosecution, between 3 pm and 4 pm on May 1, Kamble allegedly lured the young girl with the promise of snacks and showed her a newborn calf.
It is alleged that he abducted her to a shed near a cattle barn, subjected her to sexual and unnatural assault, and subsequently murdered her by gagging her and inflicting chest injuries. The prosecution further alleged that the accused attempted to destroy evidence by hiding the body.
Evidence produced in court
During Thursday`s hearing, Misar shared a chain of evidence, including CCTV footage purportedly showing the accused with the victim and statements from villagers and children who witnessed them together.
The prosecution also relied on DNA reports, forensic science laboratory findings, and the post-mortem report, stressing that witnesses had identified Kamble during an identification parade, as per PTI.
While defence counsel Himmatrao Suryavanshi contested the charges, arguing that the evidence regarding the kidnapping and the “last seen together” theory was insufficient, the court found the available material adequate to proceed.
When the charges were read out, Kamble pleaded not guilty. The prosecution was assisted by advocates Suresh Gaikwad and Prathamesh Shingane.
Sanjay Raut slams Maharashtra govt over Nasrapur rape case
In a different case in Nasrapur earlier this month, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government over the Nasrapur rape and murder case, holding it responsible for the worsening law-and-order situation in the state, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Raut said criminals should “fear the law” and questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his visits to poll-bound states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal, alleging that he was neglecting pressing issues within Maharashtra.
“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?” questioned Raut.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)