Nasrapur (Pune, Maharashtra): In a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered widespread outrage across the state, 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble, a labourer with a history of sexual offence cases, allegedly lured a four-year-old girl to a cattle shed on the pretext of showing her a calf, sexually assaulted her, smashed her head with a stone, and concealed her frail body under a heap of cow dung before fleeing.
He was later arrested after CCTV footage and villager searches led to him near a river, where he initially denied any involvement.
The girl’s last rites were performed under heavy security at Vaikunth Crematorium shortly after midnight. But public anger has escalated with some demanding that the culprit be handed over to the public for ‘proper treatment’ or that the police must ‘encounter’ him.
Shocking details of how the crime took place:
The shocking incident occurred on Friday afternoon, May 1, when the young girl, who was staying at her grandmother’s house during the holidays, was playing outside.
Around 3:30 pm, Bhimrao Kamble approached the innocent child and tempted her by promising to show a calf in the nearby cattle shed. Unsuspecting and innocent as the child was, she followed him in glee with trust that she will be able to see a cow and a calf.
That was the last anyone saw of the child. She never returned home. As the family’s frantic search intensified and villagers joined in, CCTV footage from a local residence captured the accused leading the child towards the shed.
Upon focused searching of the cattle shed, the girl’s body was discovered hidden beneath a large pile of cow dung.
It was evident that the little one had been sexually assaulted and suffered severe head injuries from being struck with a stone. The child was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Preliminary investigations also suggest she was gagged with a piece of cloth.
Accused’s Criminal History
Police have revealed that Kamble was previously booked in two sexual offence cases.
In 1998, he faced accusations of molestation but was later acquitted.
2015 case involved a minor relative, though that complaint was withdrawn.
Pune (Rural) Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill stated that both past cases are now under review.
Kamble, who often worked as a labourer in the village, was known locally but had evaded stricter scrutiny despite his record.
After the body was found, angry villagers tracked Kamble using the CCTV evidence and located him near a river in the area.
When confronted about the child, he denied any involvement, claiming he had done nothing.
A police team formally arrested him on Friday. He has been remanded in police custody until May 7 by a Judicial Magistrate First Class court.
Forensic samples have been sent for analysis, and a special team has been formed to expedite the probe. A chargesheet is expected to be filed quickly.
Strong Official Response and Public Outrage
The incident has sparked massive protests in Pune district. Hundreds of demonstrators, including family members, blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway (also referred to as Pune-Bengaluru highway) near the Navale Bridge area for nearly four hours on Saturday, placing the child’s body on the road in a show of grief and demand for justice.
Traffic was severely disrupted, with additional blockades reported on Sinhagad Road and the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass. A silent march was also held, and police used mild force in some spots to restore normalcy.
आपत्कालीन अलर्ट सिस्टीमची चाचणी यशस्वी झाली, ही आनंदाची गोष्ट आहे.
आपातकालीन अलर्ट सिस्टम का परीक्षण सफल रहा, यह खुशी की बात है।
(मुंबई | 2-5-2026)#Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/dXpPdAtjxn
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 2, 2026
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the family of a fast-track trial and has personally spoken to the victim’s father, stating the government’s objective is to secure the death penalty with no legal loopholes.
Nagpur: On the Pune rape and murder incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, "I personally spoke to the victim’s father twice yesterday. I explained to him that our objective is to ensure that the accused is awarded the death penalty. For this, we are taking… pic.twitter.com/J4ZQrOwA8b
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2026
Nagpur, Maharashtra: On the Pune minor rape and murder case, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, "Yesterday, I personally spoke with the victim’s father. Our effort is to ensure that the perpetrator receives the death penalty. For this, it is very important that the… pic.twitter.com/uXbTfur1UH
— IANS (@ians_india) May 3, 2026
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed police to build a watertight case, while Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar met the family, describing the crime as a “blot on humanity” and promising strict action.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Authorities are determined to ensure swift justice in this heinous crime that has shaken the conscience of the state.
