Fast-track court terms the case ‘rarest of rare’ as 65-year-old convict shows no remorse for the brutal crime
A special fast-track court in Pune has sentenced a 65-year-old man to death for the rape and murder of a three-year-old child. The landmark judgment came on Monday, exactly 60 days after the horrific incident shook the region. Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe classified the case under the ‘rarest of rare’ category, describing the act as deeply cruel, inhuman, and barbaric.
The convict, Bhimrao Kamble, is a daily-wage labourer who has seven children and 11 grandchildren. Police brought Kamble to the courtroom under heavy security at 11:00 am on Monday. Legal records revealed that Kamble was a repeat offender, with past allegations of harassing a 62-year-old woman, a 17-year-old girl, and an animal.
The tragic incident occurred on 1 May in Nasrapur village, located in the Pune district. The three-year-old victim had come to her maternal grandmother’s house to spend her summer holidays. In the afternoon, Kamble tricked the child by promising her sweets and offering to show her a newborn calf. He led the child to an isolated cattle shed, where he assaulted her and crushed her head with a stone. CCTV footage later captured Kamble leading the young child toward the shed, providing crucial evidence for the police investigation.
During the arguments, the defence lawyer asked for mercy by citing Kamble’s advanced age. However, the court completely rejected this plea. Judge Salunkhe stated that the convict’s age was a reason to increase the punishment rather than reduce it, noting that his dangerous desires had not faded with time. When the court asked Kamble if he had anything to say about his sentence, he claimed he was innocent. The judge noted that the convict showed absolutely no regret or chance of improvement, making the death penalty the only appropriate punishment.
“The accused committed this crime in an extremely cruel manner, involving inhuman treatment and torture of an innocent, helpless child. This cold-blooded murder for sexual gratification shows complete moral decline. The sheer brutality of the act shocks not only the judicial conscience but also the conscience of the entire society.” — Judge S.R. Salunkhe, Special POCSO Court
Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar built a strong case by presenting 55 witnesses, including forensic experts, medical officers, family members, and child witnesses. The post-mortem report confirmed that the child suffered 18 external injuries on her body. The court accepted all major evidence presented by the prosecution, including DNA reports, medical examinations, potency tests, and mental fitness assessments.
The court delivered the death sentence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. India tightened this law significantly after the 2012 Nirbhaya case, and a 2019 amendment specifically introduced the death penalty for the rape of children under 12 years of age.
According to recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against children rose by 5.9 per cent nationally, with Maharashtra recording high numbers of such cases. The data also highlights a worrying trend where a known person, relative, or neighbour is involved in the majority of child abuse cases.
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