Pune: 4-year-old raped, murdered; 65-year-old arrested amidst public outrage

A deeply disturbing incident has come to light from Pune, Maharashtra, where a four-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Nasrapur village of Bhor tehsil on Friday, May 1, 2026.. A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the heinous crime.. The incident has ignited widespread anger and triggered protests among the local populace.. The victim had reportedly gone to stay at her grandmother's house during the summer holidays.. On the afternoon of May 1st, the child went missing while playing near the Ram Mandir area.. A frantic search was initiated by her family, which was later joined by villagers as the hours passed without any sign of the child.. Crucial evidence emerged in the form of CCTV footage from the vicinity, which showed a man leading the child towards a cattle shed.. This provided the first significant clue, directing the search efforts towards the shed.. During the subsequent search within the cattle shed, the child's body was discovered hidden under a heap of cow dung.. The discovery sent shockwaves through the village, prompting immediate notification of the police.. Preliminary police investigations suggest that the accused lured the girl to the shed.. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted her and then murdered her by striking her with a stone, in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity.. The body was then subsequently buried under cow dung.. Following the discovery of the body, villagers began searching for the man seen in the CCTV footage. He was eventually apprehended near a river in the village.. Initial questioning by locals reportedly saw him deny any involvement in the crime.. Further investigations have revealed a disturbing aspect of the accused's past. It has come to light that the 65-year-old is a habitual offender, with police records indicating two similar cases registered against him approximately 5 to 10 years prior.. This revelation has raised serious concerns about how he had remained free and allegedly reoffended.. The brutality of the crime has led to significant public anger and protests.. When the child's body was brought near the local police station, emotional scenes unfolded as family members grieved.. A large number of villagers gathered, demanding swift and severe punishment for the accused.. Protesters even blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway, causing traffic disruptions and demanding the harshest possible penalties, including the death penalty for the perpetrator.. Some agitated villagers even demanded that the accused be handed over to them.. In response to the outrage, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident "shocking" and stated that the state would seek capital punishment for the accused.. The police have assured swift action and a fast-tracked investigation, with charges filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).. Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, Sandip Singh Gill, assured that a chargesheet would be filed within 15 days and the case would be heard in a fast-track court.. This incident is part of a disturbing trend of crimes against children in the Pune region, with several other cases of sexual assault and murder of minors reported in recent years.. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about the safety and security of vulnerable children in the area and have led to renewed calls for stringent law enforcement and societal action.. The article from News18 appears to be an accurate report of the events as they unfolded, with corroboration from multiple credible news outlets. The headline, while conveying the gravity of the incident, is not overly sensationalized given the horrific nature of the crime. The category is Crime and India. The news is specific to India. The importance score is high due to the severity of the crime and public reaction. The urgency is high due to the ongoing protests and demand for immediate justice.

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