Two Separate Cases of Sexual Assault and Murder of Minors Shock Maharashtra

Protests erupt in Thane and Pune as locals demand justice for victims in two horrific crimes involving minors, with calls for the death penalty for the accused.

In Thane, a 13-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Vishal Gawli, a repeat offender, and his wife Sakshi Gawli, who are now in police custody for further investigation.
The victim's body was discovered near a graveyard, and police have charged the couple under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
In Pune, a 54-year-old man, Ajay Das, was arrested for the brutal rape and murder of two minor sisters, aged 8 and 9, whose bodies were found in a water drum after they went missing.
The Pune police acted swiftly, apprehending Das within hours as he attempted to flee the state; he faces charges under the BNS and POCSO Act.
Massive protests in both cities have seen locals demanding strict action, including the death penalty, and heightened focus on child safety and law enforcement accountability.