POLITICS

President Rejects Mercy Plea in Brutal 2-Year-Old Rape and Murder Case

President rejects mercy plea in 2-year-old rape murder case: In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has rejected the mercy petition of Ravi Ashok Ghumare, who was convicted in the horrific kidnapping, rape, and murder of a two-year-old girl in Maharashtra in 2012. With this decision, the death sentence awarded to the accused stands confirmed.

This is the third mercy petition rejected by President Murmu since she assumed office on July 25, 2022.

Supreme Court Upheld Death Sentence

Earlier, on October 3, 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalty imposed on Ravi Ashok Ghumare. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Suryakant (now the Chief Justice of India), described the crime as one that crossed all natural, social, and legal boundaries.

The court observed that the accused demonstrated a vile, perverted, and depraved mindset by committing unnatural sexual crimes against a two-year-old child. The bench stated that the brutality of the act irreversibly destroyed the life of an innocent child, making the death penalty a justified punishment.

President’s Observations While Rejecting Mercy Plea

While rejecting the mercy petition on November 6, 2025, the President noted that the victim was abducted and tortured for nearly four to five hours until her death. Instead of offering protection, love, and care expected from an adult in society, the accused betrayed social values by subjecting the child to extreme sexual violence.

The order highlighted that such an act reflects a deeply perverted mentality and constitutes a grave insult to humanity and societal norms.

Details of the 2012 Incident

The shocking incident occurred on March 6, 2012, in the Indira Nagar area of Jalna district, Maharashtra. Ravi Ashok Ghumare lured the two-year-old girl with chocolates and took her away, where he brutally assaulted her. The severe injuries inflicted during the assault led to the child’s death.

Legal Journey of the Case

September 16, 2015: The Trial court sentenced Ravi Ashok Ghumare to death

January 2016: Bombay High Court upheld the death sentence

October 3, 2019: The Supreme Court confirmed the capital punishment

November 6, 2025: President Droupadi Murmu rejected the mercy petition

With the President’s decision, the death sentence is now final, bringing the long legal process to its conclusion.

Sri Lakshmi

Sri Lakshmi

Srilakshmi a bilingual content writer with 5 years of experience in Telugu and English news writing. Passionate about storytelling and trending topics, Srilakshmi delivers accurate and engaging content for readers worldwide.