Mumbai, June 29 (AHN) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday lauded the efficiency of both the police department and the judiciary after a special fast-track court sentenced 65-year-old Bhimrao Prabhakar Kamble to death for the brutal sexual assault and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Nasrapur, Bhor taluka, in Pune district.

The accused was convicted on June 25, exactly 55 days after the horrific crime occurred, Fadnavis stated in the state assembly.

He said that on June 29, the court awarded a triple death sentence. Examining 55 witnesses in a mere 29 days to secure a conviction was an exemplary achievement.

Expressing his gratitude, the Chief Minister added that he wanted to extend his special thanks to the special fast-track court. While the timeline up to the filing of the chargesheet remained in the hands of the police, it was thereafter entirely shifted to the judiciary.

Justice S R Salunkhe even cancelled his personal leave to ensure continuous, uninterrupted hearings. Fadnavis said if they wanted to deter such monsters and instil absolute fear of the law, timely justice was paramount. The judiciary had set a groundbreaking precedent here.

Fadnavis also commended Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandip Singh Gill and his entire team for meticulous evidence collection. He said that to secure a death sentence, the prosecution's case must be beyond a reasonable doubt. The airtight evidence presented by the police made this capital punishment possible.

While they prayed such incidents never occur, they had now demonstrated that when degenerate tendencies surface, the perpetrators could be sent to the gallows within 59 days. He added that nothing could diminish the grief of the young victim's parents, but they might find some solace knowing that the court had delivered a triple death sentence.

He emphasised that the swift verdict sends a clear signal that the state maintains a strict policy of zero tolerance against crimes targeting women and children. Expressing satisfaction with the verdict, Fadnavis stated that the court made the right decision. He remarked that monsters who commit such heinous acts have absolutely no right to live in society and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the honourable court.

Earlier, Special Judge S R Salunkhe handed down the death penalty after convicting Kamble on Thursday, June 25, and subsequently reserved the final sentence. Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar had strongly argued for the death penalty, terming the crime as "rarest of rare" and a heinous act that shook the conscience of society.

The horrific crime took place on Maharashtra Day, May 1, at Nasrapur in Bhor taluka, where the three-and-a-half-year-old toddler was brutally assaulted and murdered.

Following a swift investigation, the prosecution, defence, and the victim's family presented their detailed arguments before the special court.

On June 25, Judge Salunkhe pronounced Kamble guilty and informed him of the statutory punishments under the respective sections of the Indian Penal Code and special laws listed in the chargesheet.

During the final arguments, Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar underscored that strict laws exist to protect women and minors, yet such crimes persist.

He argued that a severe deterrent was necessary to instil fear of the law in criminal minds, backing his arguments with references to 12 landmark judgments of the Supreme Court of India. The defence was represented by Advocate Himmatrao Suryavanshi.