Maratha Kranti Morcha: Rape and murder of teenager triggered protests in Maharashtra

The case also led to demand for dilution of the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act

On July 13, 2016, a 14-year-old from Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra was allegedly raped and murdered by three men.

The silent protest march began at 11am from Byculla and willend around 5pm at Azad Maidan. (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

According to the 350-page charge sheet filed by police in the court, the victim, who belonged to the Maratha community, was raped and murdered by Jitendra Shinde, Santosh G Bhaval and Nitin G Bhailume when she was returning home on a bicycle from her grandparents’ house in the evening.

As news spread the next day, Maratha community came on street in large numbers demanding stringent action against the accused. While the agitation was largely peaceful, incidents of violence were reported from Nashik.

The protests forced the state government to appoint Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor and fast-track the case. According to prosecution, the case is currently in its last stage with cross examination being done by defence in district and sessions court in Ahmednagar. The prosecution has closed the case from its side by presenting 31 witnesses.

The case also led to demand for dilution of the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act as the accused were from the Dalit community.