Pune City Police have issued a detailed clarification regarding the protest incident at Navale Bridge, which has drawn widespread attention after a viral video surfaced showing police using force during the agitation.
According to police, the incident dates back to 1 May, when the minor girl, who was visiting her grandmother during her summer holidays, was allegedly lured by a 65-year-old labourer identified as Bhimrao Kamble. The accused reportedly took the child to a cattle shed, where he sexually assaulted her before fatally striking her head with a stone. Authorities stated that Kamble, who has a prior criminal history including similar allegations from which he was previously acquitted, was swiftly arrested based on CCTV evidence. He has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape and murder.
The gruesome nature of the crime triggered widespread outrage. On 2 May, hundreds of citizens, including members of the victim’s family, blocked the heavily trafficked Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway. Protesters placed the child’s body on the road while demanding capital punishment and immediate justice. The blockade caused severe disruption, resulting in massive traffic congestion that lasted several hours and impacted thousands of commuters.
Police, in their official statement, said continuous dialogue was maintained with the victim’s family throughout the day. By evening, officials noted that the parents, visibly exhausted, had expressed willingness to withdraw the protest after receiving written assurances from the administration.
Addressing allegations of excessive force, police clarified that only limited and controlled baton use was employed to disperse protesters who continued to occupy the highway and refused to vacate the area. Authorities stated that Navale Bridge, a critical route on the Mumbai–Bengaluru National Highway, remained blocked for over four hours, leading to a traffic backlog stretching beyond 15 kilometres.
Officials further highlighted that the blockade caused significant inconvenience to commuters, including women, children, and emergency ambulance services. They maintained that the situation was managed with restraint, discipline, and caution under difficult circumstances.
The police also reiterated that the investigation into the Nasrapur case is being handled with utmost sensitivity by Pune Rural Police, with efforts underway to ensure swift prosecution and strict punishment for the accused. Authorities confirmed that the victim’s family has been kept fully informed and involved at every stage of the process.
The incident has now become a focal point of public discourse in Pune, raising urgent questions about public safety, law enforcement response, and the demand for expedited justice in crimes against children.
The developments underscore a deeply tense atmosphere in the region, as citizens continue to demand accountability and decisive legal action in one of the most disturbing criminal cases reported in recent times.
About The Author
Comment List