Khairnar was 21 years old at the time of the incident. The prosecution’s case was that he sexually assaulted the child and strangled her to death. The judgment was delivered by Judge K. G. Paldewar, who observed that the case fell within the category of the “rarest of rare” cases.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who represented the prosecution, spoke about the evidence and arguments presented during the trial following the verdict. He said the case did not have a direct eyewitness to the crime and that the prosecution relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence to establish the accused’s guilt.
Prosecution Relied on Circumstantial Evidence
According to Nikam, the accused had claimed that he left the child behind. There was no CCTV footage available to directly establish the sequence of events. The prosecution therefore relied on circumstantial evidence to establish its case before the court.
Nikam said the prosecution received assistance from police personnel, investigating officers, lawyers and other officials involved in the case. He also referred to the role of Maharashtra Education Minister Dada Bhuse, who had requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to arrange for Nikam to handle the matter. According to Nikam, the Chief Minister also suggested that he take up the case promptly, following which he was appointed Special Public Prosecutor.
The incident had prompted widespread reactions in Malegaon, Nashik district and other parts of Maharashtra, with concerns being raised over law and order.
The matter was heard by the POCSO fast-track court at the Additional District and Sessions Court in Malegaon. The court considered the evidence and arguments before deciding the sentence after the accused had been found guilty.
Nikam Details Arguments on Sentencing
Nikam said the prosecution’s principal argument during the sentencing stage was that the circumstances of the offence warranted the death penalty rather than life imprisonment.
He referred to the accused’s conduct during the proceedings and said there appeared to be no visible sign of remorse when Khairnar attended the hearing through video conferencing. The prosecution also relied on reports submitted by prison authorities, probation officers and psychiatric doctors while arguing that a lesser sentence would not be appropriate.
According to Nikam, the judgment runs to approximately 200–250 pages. He said the prosecution had cited a Supreme Court judgment concerning the rape and physical assault of a six-year-old girl. The judge, he said, accepted the comparison presented by the prosecution and referred to similarities between the circumstances of that case and the Dongrale incident.
Khairnar has 30 days to appeal against the sentence, according to the information provided by Nikam. The case will also be subject to proceedings before the High Court, including the judicial scrutiny and confirmation required in a death penalty case.
Child Had Addressed the Accused as ‘Dada’
Nikam said the prosecution had argued that the offence met the “rarest of rare” standard, referring to the trust the child had placed in the accused. The girl reportedly addressed him as “Dada,” a term commonly used for an older brother.
According to Nikam, the child held the accused’s finger and accompanied him. The prosecution argued that this reflected the trust she had placed in him. Nikam also referred to the historical example of Raghoba Dada during his submissions, using it to illustrate the significance of the relationship as presented in court.
The prosecution cited these circumstances as part of its arguments on the gravity of the offence and the appropriate sentence.
Prosecutor Recounts Events Before the Incident
Nikam told the media that the child had been playing with five other children in the neighbourhood on November 16, 2025. According to his account, the group consisted of five boys and the girl.
The prosecution’s account was that the accused initially took the child away by offering her a Cadbury chocolate and later left her near the Nehru statue.
Nikam said the prosecution argued that the accused was assessing whether anyone would object to him taking the child away. At the time, only the five children were playing in the lane where the victim lived.
A witness reportedly saw the accused taking the girl away on the first occasion and questioned him. He allegedly replied that he was going to get chocolate for her. The witness accepted the explanation and returned to her household work.
After returning with the chocolate and leaving the girl, the accused allegedly asked her to remove her shoes and accompany him again. According to the prosecution, he then took her away.
Nikam also said Education Minister Dada Bhuse had shown him a video of the child learning English in Dongrale village. The girl was reportedly teaching words such as “B for Ball” and “C for Cat.” Nikam said the video had affected him deeply.
He described the injuries suffered by the child and said she died from fatal wounds. These circumstances formed part of the prosecution’s presentation of the case.
Court Orders Rs 10 Lakh Compensation
In addition to the death sentence, the court awarded seven years of imprisonment for abduction and attempting to destroy evidence. It also ordered Rs 10 lakh in compensation for the victim’s family.
Khairnar and his lawyer appeared before the court through video conferencing. Members of the victim’s family, Minister Dada Bhuse and representatives and workers of social and political organisations were present in the court premises when the verdict was delivered.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam led the prosecution, assisted by advocates Sneha Sharma Thakre and Sanjay Sonawane. Advocate Rathi represented the accused.
The court’s finding that the case fell within the “rarest of rare” category was central to its decision to impose capital punishment. The sentence remains subject to the applicable legal process, including consideration by the High Court.
Investigation and Trial Proceedings
The incident occurred in Dongrale village in Malegaon taluka on November 16, 2025. The case involved allegations of sexual assault and murder of a four-and-a-half-year-old girl and attracted widespread attention across Maharashtra.
Malegaon taluka police investigated the case and filed a 425-page chargesheet within 23 days of the incident. During the trial, the prosecution examined 24 witnesses, including police personnel, villagers, members of the victim’s family and medical officers.
Nikam was appointed Special Public Prosecutor by the government and presented the prosecution’s case based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
During an earlier hearing, the court had found Khairnar guilty and given him an opportunity to present his position. Reports concerning his conduct were also submitted by police personnel, psychiatric experts and prison authorities.
The October 16, 2026, verdict marks a significant stage in the judicial proceedings. Khairnar retains the right to challenge the sentence within the prescribed period, while the death penalty remains subject to the further judicial process, including High Court confirmation.
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