05 May,2026 03:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Devendra Fadnavis said that a law barring parole for persons accused of sexual offences should be brought back. FILE PIC
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ordered the drafting of a stringent law to bar parole for persons accused of sexual offences, citing that nearly 90 per cent of such crimes had been committed by repeat offenders out on temporary release, news agency PTI reported. During a cabinet meeting, Fadnavis noted that a similar law was enacted during his previous tenure as chief minister in 2014-2019, but it was struck down by the courts after being in force for three years, sources said.
"About 80 to 90 per cent of the accused in such (sexual offence) cases are those arrested earlier for similar crimes and released on parole, during which they end up committing offences again," sources said, quoting Fadnavis.
Stressing the need for stricter measures to curb repeat crimes, the chief minister has said that a law barring parole for persons accused of sexual offences should be brought back.
The chief minister's directives have come amid the recent case of a 65-year-old man with a criminal record, who allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered a four-year-old girl in a village in Bhor tehsil of Pune district.
Fadnavis noted that the accused in the rape and murder case had committed similar offences twice earlier, and highlighted the urgency of preventing repeat offenders from misusing parole.
According to sources, he directed officials from the law and judiciary department to prepare the necessary legal provisions and submit a proposal at the earliest.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President Supriya Sule on Tuesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured her that he will personally monitor the probe into the Narsapur child sexual assault-murder case.
The Baramati Member of Parliament (MP) met the chief minister earlier in the day to demand strict action in the case which has created a furore in the state.
Sule said Fadnavis, who heads the Home department, promised close supervision of the case until the accused received the strictest punishment.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of citizens, she said there is faith in both the state leadership and police machinery to ensure that justice is delivered, news agency PTI reported.
"We trust the police system to take the case to its logical conclusion," Sule said while also raising concerns over rising incidents of violence against women and girls in Maharashtra.
The NCP (SP) leader urged the government to effectively implement the Shakti Act, introduced by the Uddhav Thackeray government, for enhancing women's safety.
A 65-year-old man, who was in the past acquitted in two cases of molestation, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting and killing a four-year-old girl at Narsapur in Bhor tehsil of Pune district on May 1.
(With PTI inputs)
