Pune: 65-year-old detained for 4-year-old girl's alleged rape and murder
A four-year-old girl was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Bhor, Pune. A 65-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of sexual assault and murder. The incident has sparked outrage and protests among local residents.
Key Highlights
- 4-year-old girl found dead in Bhor, Pune.
- 65-year-old man detained on suspicion of rape and murder.
- Child's body found concealed under cow dung.
- Accused has a history of similar offences.
- Protests erupted on Pune-Satara highway.
A horrific crime has sent shockwaves through Pune district after a four-year-old girl was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Bhor taluka's Nasrapur village on Friday, May 1, 2026. A 65-year-old man has been detained by the Rajgad police on suspicion of sexual assault and murder. The incident came to light when the child, who had gone to stay with her grandmother for the summer holidays, went missing while playing. Her worried family initiated a search, with villagers joining in. Their search led them to review CCTV footage from a private residence, which captured the accused leading the child towards a cattle shed. The focus of the search then shifted to this shed, where the child's body was discovered, tragically concealed under a heap of cow dung..
Police suspect sexual assault, and the exact cause of death is awaiting confirmation from medical reports. Preliminary investigations suggest the accused lured the child with the promise of food and took her to a shed in a cattle enclosure.. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted her and then killed her, with some reports indicating she was killed by crushing her head with a stone.. The accused, a daily wage labourer, is reportedly a habitual offender with a criminal background.. He had previously been booked in similar molestation cases in 1998 and under molestation and POCSO provisions in 2015, although he was acquitted in 2019..
The brutal nature of the crime triggered widespread anger and outrage among local residents. Protests erupted on the Pune-Satara highway on Friday night, leading to temporary traffic disruptions.. Villagers also gathered at the Rajgad police station, demanding strict action against the accused.. Senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill, visited the area, appealed for calm, and assured that stringent legal action would be taken.. The police have assured that a chargesheet will be filed within 15 days and that the case will be tried in a fast-track court..
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident as "condemnable and tragic" and assured that the state government would pursue the matter with urgency.. He stated that a request would be made to the High Court to establish a special fast-track court, appoint a special public prosecutor, and that the prosecution would seek the death penalty for the accused.. The accused has been remanded to police custody until May 7, 2026.. The incident has also highlighted concerns about child safety and the adequacy of existing laws and their enforcement, particularly regarding repeat offenders..
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the 4-year-old girl in Bhor, Pune?
A 4-year-old girl was found dead in Bhor, Pune, with preliminary investigations suggesting sexual assault and murder. Her body was found concealed under a heap of cow dung.
Who has been arrested in connection with the incident?
A 65-year-old man has been detained by the police on suspicion of committing the crime. He is reportedly a habitual offender.
What was the public's reaction to the incident?
The crime sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests by local residents on the Pune-Satara highway and at the police station, demanding swift and strict action against the accused.
What action are the authorities taking?
Police have assured that a chargesheet will be filed within 15 days and the case will be tried in a fast-track court. The Chief Minister has also stated that the prosecution will seek the death penalty.
Does the accused have a criminal history?
Yes, the accused is reported to be a habitual offender with previous cases registered against him, including under the POCSO Act, though he was acquitted in one instance.