Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and water conservation minister Ram Shinde visited Kopardi village on Sunday and met family members of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped and murdered by three men
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and water conservation minister Ram Shinde visited Kopardi village on Sunday and met family members of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped and murdered by three men on July 13.
During the visit, Mr Fadnavis expressed condolence to the victim’s family and assured them justice would done in the case, sources said. He also said strong action would be taken against the culprits and strict punishment given through a fast track court.
On Sunday afternoon, a large number of people were present at Kopardi as the CM planned to visit the family along with ministers.
However, Mr Fadnavis refused to interact with any other person after meeting with the family and left within an hour.
The incident took place on July 13 and Mr Fadnavis was criticised for not meeting the family.
The issue was also reflected in the state Legislative Assembly as the opposition party leaders asked the CM why he did not visit the family.
The 15-year-old girl was brutally raped and killed by three men at Kopardi in Ahmednagar on July 13, when she was returning from her grandfather’s home. She was found with various injuries and both shoulders dislocated, the police said.
The crime sparked protests across the state, with people taking to the streets demanding action against the accused.
The police has arrested three of the accused and they have been booked under sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as the public prosecutor in the case and the government has given '5 lakh solatium to the victim’s family.
