03 May,2026 06:10 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
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A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district, amid widespread outrage over the incident, reported PTI.
"An SIT comprising six police officers, including two women, has been set up. We will add more officers depending on the course of the investigation," a police officer said, reported PTI.
A 65-year-old man with a criminal record has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering the minor in a village in Bhor tehsil, reported PTI.
He was remanded to police custody till May 7.
According to police, the accused allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food on Friday, took her to a cattle enclosure, sexually assaulted her, and later killed her by hitting her with a stone, reported PTI.
The gruesome crime has sparked massive protests, with people demanding capital punishment for the accused.
Several political leaders across party lines, including Rohit Pawar, Neelam Gorhe, and Medha Kulkarni, visited the victim's residence to offer condolences, reported PTI.
The victim's father urged political leaders not to visit the family until justice is delivered.
"I appeal to all politicians that until my daughter receives true justice, until the accused is hanged, please do not visit my house," he said in a video message, reported PTI.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the government will seek the death penalty for the accused and fast-track the trial to deliver justice in "record time", reported PTI.
A day earlier, hundreds of protesters blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Navale Bridge for around four hours.
Family members and demonstrators placed the girl's body on the road, demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Several videos surfaced showing a huge traffic jam on the highway.
Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium shortly after midnight amid tight police security.
(With inputs from PTI)
