Call for Death Penalty in Pune Child Abuse Case by Former Maharashtra Home Minister

Demand for Justice in Child Abuse Case

Anil Deshmukh, the former Home Minister of Maharashtra and a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, has called for the death penalty for the accused in the sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district. He criticized both the state and central governments for shifting blame regarding the implementation of the proposed Shakti Act aimed at curbing sexual offenses. This tragic incident emerged from a village in Bhor district.

According to police reports, a 65-year-old man lured the girl with food and took her to a cattle shed, where he sexually assaulted and subsequently killed her. Deshmukh condemned the incident, stating on social media that such a disgraceful event occurring on Maharashtra Day is unacceptable for the state. He urged for a swift trial and immediate execution of the accused.

The NCP leader claimed that there is evidence suggesting the accused has previously committed sexual offenses against young children. He questioned how such criminals are allowed to roam freely in society. During his tenure as Home Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, he noted that the Shakti Act was approved but is still awaiting final approval from the central government.

Deshmukh emphasized that while there is an urgent need for this law in the state, both the central and state governments are wasting time by passing the responsibility to each other instead of enforcing it. He pointed out the rising incidents of violence against women and girls in Maharashtra, asserting that the government led by Devendra Fadnavis is not serious about implementing the Shakti Act.

He remarked that had this stringent law been in effect, the accused would have faced the death penalty within 15 days. In March, the Maharashtra Legislative Council unanimously passed the Indian Justice Code (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill 2026, which includes provisions for protecting the identities of acid attack victims and ensuring imprisonment for online sexual harassment cases. This bill had already been passed by the state assembly.

Chief Minister Fadnavis, who also oversees the Home Department, stated that the Shakti Bill was passed by the state assembly in 2020 and sent to the center for presidential approval, but it was later returned.