Hundreds seek justice for 3-year-old Nasrapur rape, murder victim

Pune: Hundreds of residents along with family members of the Nasrapur rape and murder victim staged a silent protest march from Balgandharva Chowk to Savarkar Smarak in Deccan on Sunday evening, demanding the harshest punishment for the 65-year-old accused.Several social organisations came together to hold the protest. Participants included women, students and activists. People marched with placards seeking justice for the three-year-old victim.On May 1, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered at Nasrapur in Bhor taluka. The police arrested a 65-year-old man as the prime accused, who had been acquitted for a similar offence in the past. The incident triggered uproar across Pune district and other parts of Maharashtra.The victim's father addressed protesters at the Savarkar Smarak. He said, "The protest is not against anyone. It is to remind the judiciary and the govt that society is still alive and watching. The accused in my daughter's case and in all such heinous crimes should be given the strictest punishment."He urged the govt to bring in stronger laws to prevent rape and murder crimes, while ensuring speedy trials so that victims get justice without delay. The victim's father said, "I am satisfied with the pace of the probe and the regular updates that police provide. They have assured me that the chargesheet will be filed on May 11." He reiterated his demand for capital punishment for the accused.Among those who joined the march were differently abled cricketers led by Onkar Roundale, captain of the Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Team.Roundale said several players had joined the protest directly from the cricket grounds. "We represent the state team and want the govt to take the issue seriously. Crimes against women and children continue to occur almost every day. The accused should receive the harshest punishment and victims must get justice," he said.A woman protester said the govt must take concrete steps to ensure women feel safe outside their homes. "We are mothers too and can understand the pain the family is going through. We hope no one else has to suffer such a tragedy," she said.Protester Priyanka pointed out loopholes in the legal system with regard to the accused being acquitted earlier in a similar case. "The May 1 incident may not have happened, had he not been released earlier. The govt should amend laws to ensure such offenders do not walk free and there are time-bound trials," she said."I appeal to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to act before the situation worsens and women are compelled to take law into their own hands for justice. The govt must wake up now, instead of waiting for another tragedy. People are exhausted with protesting on the streets after every incident, but to no positive end," said protester Rupali Kulkarni.