03 May,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut questioned CM Devendra Fadnavis over his visits to poll-bound states, alleging that he was neglecting pressing issues within Maharashtra. FILE PIC
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government over the Nasrapur rape and murder case, holding it responsible for the worsening law-and-order situation in the state, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Raut said criminals should "fear the law" and questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his visits to poll-bound states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal, alleging that he was neglecting pressing issues within Maharashtra.
"A 4-year-old girl was raped in this state. Criminals should fear the law. This government is responsible for this. The government is busy with VIP security and spends a month each touring Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam, and Bengal. Who will look after things here?" questioned Raut.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP further escalated his attack, referring to the âLadli Behna Scheme' and questioning the government's sensitivity towards victims and their families. He alleged that the victim's mother could also be a beneficiary of the scheme, and asked whether the government could "buy emotions" of the victim's mother for Rs 1,500. Calling the state government "useless" and "incompetent", Raut criticised its handling of law and order.
"Perhaps the mother of the child who was raped and murdered could be this government's own âLadli Behna'. Can you buy that mother's emotions for Rs 1,500? The real accused is this government, which is useless and incompetent. What is the police doing there? What is happening in this country? The Constitution is being violated. And you are lathi-charging the public who came out carrying that child's dead body," said Raut.
Meanwhile, in the Nasrapur case, a 65-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a four-year-old girl has been remanded to police custody till May 7 by the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court in Pune.
The incident triggered widespread outrage, with protesters blocking the Pune-Bengaluru highway and demanding strict action against the accused.
According to Pune Rural Police, the accused allegedly lured the minor with food to a shed, where he sexually assaulted and murdered her.
Police said the girl had gone missing earlier, following which her family began a search, and CCTV footage later showed the accused with the child.
Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill said the accused was arrested within an hour of receiving information and has a prior criminal record, including a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered in 2015.
Speaking with ANI, SP Gill said, "The accused is a 65-year-old man who lives in the surrounding area. He lured the girl and did this...We arrested the accused within an hour of receiving information...The accused has two similar cases registered against him, including a POCSO case in 2015. Investigation reveals that he is of this tendency."
Following the incident, hundreds of villagers gathered at a police chowki and blocked the highway, demanding justice, prompting police to carry out a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Gill reached the spot and assured the public that the case will be fast-tracked and that the accused has been booked under POCSO and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
(With ANI inputs)
