NCW seeks parole ban for rape, POCSO convicts after Pune horror

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has called for a complete ban on parole for convicts in cases of rape, aggravated sexual assault, and serious offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, citing the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Nasrapur village of Bhor tehsil in Pune district as a trigger for urgent systemic reform.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said the Commission would soon submit formal recommendations to the Central Government seeking the prohibition, calling the Nasrapur case 

“deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking” and “a blot on humanity.” The Commission took suo motu cognisance of the incident on May 3.

The accused, 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble, a labourer with a prior criminal record for sexual offences, allegedly lured the child to a cattle shed on the pretext of showing her a calf and assaulted and killed her on May 1. Police said Kamble had been arrested twice previously for similar offences. A Pune court on Thursday extended his police custody until May 12.

The case has drawn sharp questions over the failure of local authorities to monitor a known habitual offender. The incident has “raised serious concerns regarding public safety and the confidence of women in society,” Rahatkar said, adding that protection, dignity, and security of women and children must remain paramount.

In its recommendations, the NCW has proposed amendments to prison and parole rules to classify rape, repeat sexual offences, and serious POCSO offences as categories ineligible for parole or temporary release. The Commission has also recommended mandatory risk assessment, electronic monitoring, strengthened police verification, and consultation with survivors or their families before any temporary release is considered.

Beyond the parole framework, the Commission has pushed for the expedited establishment of Special Fast Track Trial Courts for cases involving sexual crimes against women and children, dedicated legal and subject experts for investigation and trial coordination, and a time-bound independent mechanism for evidence examination and witness statement recording.

On surveillance, the NCW has called on state police authorities to maintain continuous monitoring of habitual offenders and repeat accused under POCSO and other sexual offence laws, including obtaining bonds for good conduct where permitted. Local police stations have been directed to submit periodic reports on such individuals to senior authorities.

The Commission also underlined the need for heightened accountability among senior police officials and a victim-centric approach across the justice delivery process.

The Nasrapur case has triggered widespread protests across Pune district, with residents blocking the Pune-Satara National Highway. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought the death penalty for the accused.