Kopardi rape and murder case: State will press for capital punishment, says Devendra Fadnavis

Announcing that the state will press for capital punishment for accused in the Kopardi rape and murder case, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that the government would also request for day-to-day hearing in the case in a fast-track court without any adjournment. The entire Opposition, however, staged a walk-out expressing dissatisfaction over the CM's reply.

Talking during a discussion on the topic in the state Assembly, in his 35-minute speech, Fadnavis termed the incident as barbaric. He said unless the accused received capital punishment, proper message will not be sent across in the entire state. He said a committee of women legislators from both Houses would be formed to explore the possibilities of improving the existing provisions in law regarding such cases.

Fadnavis further said a team of five doctors, along with forensic science experts, has been asked to expedite analysis of the forensic evidence, so that a charge-sheet could be filed. He said the entire system has been pressed into service so that forensic expert could gather irrefutable evidence.

Fadnavis further informed that fast-track courts were functional in 27 districts in the state and no post of judge was vacant in any of these courts.

Refuting the allegation that the government was not serious about the case, Fadnavis said the special IGP visited the spot immediately, after which guardian minister as well as the minister of state for home visited the village.

Fadnavis admitted that he could not visit the village because he was in Russia and left for Pandharpur when he returned, after which he left for Delhi for the interstate council meeting of chief ministers with the prime minister.

He announced that Pune police commissioner Rashmi Shukla would be directed to visit the village and talk to the victim's mother as well as other women in the village. Fadnavis informed that as far as the suspected involvement of a fourth person named Shinde is concerned, orders would be issued to ascertain whether he had any role to play. The investigation would be conducted by CID.