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POCSO Court Awards to 65-Year-Old Convict
A has handed down the to a 65-year-old man, Bhimrao Prabhakar Kamble, for the rape and brutal murder of a three-year-old girl. Presiding over a , Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe delivered the verdict on , marking a swift conclusion to a tragedy that shook the community to its core.
A Summer Tragedy at Shriram Temple The incident occurred on , in Nasarapur village, Bhor Taluka. The three-year-old victim was visiting her maternal grandmother, who served as a priest at the historic Shriram temple. Kamble, laboring at a nearby temple renovation site, lured the child under the guise of showing her a newly born calf and offering her snacks. CCTV footage later captured the harrowing sequence of events, showing the accused leading the toddler to a secluded tin-sheet shed. He emerged alone 39 minutes later. When the child failed to return, a desperate search led to the discovery of her body hidden under a gunny bag within the shed.
Swift Justice in Unprecedented Time The investigation and subsequent trial were characterized by their remarkable speed. Within 60 days, the case was registered, investigated, and adjudicated. The prosecution, spearheaded by , presented 55 witnesses and extensive electronic, forensic, and DNA evidence without requesting a single adjournment. The testimony of three child witnesses who saw the accused with the victim, coupled with forensic DNA reports confirming the accused’s presence and actions, created a watertight case that the defense was unable to dismantle.
Legal Reasoning: Why Justice Required the Ultimate Penalty During the sentencing phase, the court rejected the accused’s age as a . Instead, the court viewed his history of as an of his depravity. Judge Salunkhe emphasized that the accused remained unrepentant, noting that his past history showed he was beyond the scope of reformation. The court relied on the ’s "" doctrine, determining that the crime—characterized by extreme brutality and the violation of an innocent, helpless toddler—demanded nothing less than to preserve the collective conscience of society.
Key Observations The trial judge articulated the gravity of the decision through several poignant observations regarding the nature of the crime:
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"Needless to say that the behaviour of the accused was uncommon and punishment of for such crime would be grossly inadequate."
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"The crime was committed so brutally that it shocks not only the but even the conscience of society."
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"The thirst for lust of the accused is not extinguished even at such age... it has reached to very dangerous stage."
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"The of this court leads to the irresistible conclusion that the only punishment the accused can deserve is the death sentence."
Final Verdict and Implications
Convicting Kamble under the
, and the
, the court ordered that he be
"
."
The decision includes a mandatory
to the
as required under the
. Furthermore, the court directed the to ensure adequate compensation is awarded to the grieving parents, aiming to provide institutional support alongside legal retribution. This judgment serves as a stern benchmark, signaling the judiciary's intent to treat crimes against children with the utmost severity.
