Outrage in Maharashtra after 12-year-old girl bludgeoned to death; SIT formed as suspect arrested
A 12-year-old girl was found dead in her home in a village in Maharashtra's Wardha district on Wednesday evening, sparking outrage among locals.
Local police, who discovered the body partially unclothed, suspect that the young girl was sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death with a stone, media reports said.
Investigation and arrests
Following the discovery, law enforcement recovered a stone at the scene believed to have been used as the murder weapon.
Wardha Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Agrawal stated that investigators strongly suspect sexual violence took place prior to the murder, though an official medical examination is currently underway to establish the precise circumstances.
Acting on a formal complaint filed by the victim's mother, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified individuals.
The case includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder, rape, sexual violence, and house trespass, alongside relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Initially, three individuals were detained for questioning. Law enforcement has since arrested 30-year-old Rahul Raju Madavi in connection with the crime. Madavi is a farm laborer who worked on the land adjacent to the victim's house.
State response and SIT formation
To ensure a thorough investigation, fourteen special police teams have been formed, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has officially taken over the handling of the case.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar condemned the killing in the strongest terms, describing it as extremely condemnable.
He assured the public that the police acted immediately to register the case and that rigorous efforts are ongoing to ensure total accountability for those responsible.
Local outrage and outcry for justice
The tragedy has ignited immense grief and anger within the community.
Following the post-mortem examination, a tense atmosphere gripped the area as relatives and local residents launched a protest outside the hospital while the victim's body was being returned to the family.
A large crowd followed the ambulance, and residents temporarily blocked a major road.
The protestors are demanding a fast-track trial and the death penalty for the accused. In response to the unrest, police units have maintained a heavy presence in the village to prevent further disturbances.
No additional arrests have been reported at this stage.
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