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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Man gets death for minor’s rape, murder

Mumbai | Nashik: A Nashik Special Fast Track Court has awarded the death sentence to a 25-year old man who was convicted last week for luring a 4-year-old girl with a chocolate, kidnapping, raping and murdering her, here on Friday. Terming the case as the ‘rarest of rare’ crimes, the Special Judge K. D. Paldewar – who had found Vijay Sanjay Khairnar guilty of kidnap, sexual assault and murdering the child on Sep. 30 but reserved the verdict after the final arguments on Oct. 7 – pronounced the...

Man gets death for minor’s rape, murder

Mumbai | Nashik: A Nashik Special Fast Track Court has awarded the death sentence to a 25-year old man who was convicted last week for luring a 4-year-old girl with a chocolate, kidnapping, raping and murdering her, here on Friday. Terming the case as the ‘rarest of rare’ crimes, the Special Judge K. D. Paldewar – who had found Vijay Sanjay Khairnar guilty of kidnap, sexual assault and murdering the child on Sep. 30 but reserved the verdict after the final arguments on Oct. 7 – pronounced the capital punishment today. He also slapped a fine of Rs 10 lakhs as compensation to the victim’s family, hailing from Dongrale village before a packed courtroom where the villagers, the victim’s family and others were present. Emerging from the courtroom after the verdict, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the media that “the Court had considered the gravity of the crime and the circumstantial evidence establishing Khairnar’s involvement” while deciding the sentence. The Court did not take into account the convict’s poverty – he was a daily wager – or illiteracy as grounds for leniency, added the ace criminal lawyer. It was on Nov. 16, 2025 in Dongrale village of Malegaon taluka when Khairnar lured the little girl on the promise of giving her a chocolate and took her to a desolate spot to carry out his devious plans. Betraying the trust of the child who used to call him ‘dada’ (elder brother) due to their acquaintance, Khairnar sexually assaulted her, killed her and abandoned her before decamping from there. A few hours later, the child’s body was found dumped in a nullah and the police were summoned. As details of the gruesome crime tumbled out and spread, it ignited widespread public outrage all over the state. The police swung into action, formed several probe teams and managed to track down Khairnar from his hideout within a few hours. Considering the sensitivity of the crime, the strong emotions plus the mass furore it created, the state government assigned the case to a fast-track court, assigned Nikam as the SPP and the matter was heard speedily. The SPP aggressively led the prosecution, arguing in the court that in view of the gravity of the crime, the circumstances leading to it and other aspects, it warranted the severest punishment – death – for Khairnar, irrespective of his age or financial status. The Dongrale villagers stood in solidarity with the victim’s family and they raised a chorus for quick investigations, an expeditious trial and slapping the death penalty on the convict to serve as a strong deterrent to potential offenders. As per the Indian law, the trial court’s verdict will now go to the Bombay High Court for confirmation. Political leaders from different parties hailed the court verdict and said “justice has finally been done to the victim’s family”.

Habitat Shuts Down After Sena Workers Wreck Club Over Kamra’s ‘Gaddar’ Jibe

Correspondent
Mar 24, 2025
1 min read

Comedy club announces temporary closure, says it won’t censor artists’ views


Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club has announced a temporary shutdown following the March 23 vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers in response to comedian Kunal Kamra’s latest stand-up special, Naya Bharat. In an Instagram post, the club expressed shock and distress over the attack, emphasizing that while it provides a platform for performers, it does not influence or endorse their content.


“We are deeply shaken and heartbroken by this act of vandalism. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices, and we have never interfered with their performances. Until we find a way to ensure free expression without risking our safety and property, we are shutting down,” the club stated.


The incident occurred after Kamra’s comments in his YouTube video, where he called Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a gaddar (traitor), angering Shiv Sena supporters. On Sunday, party workers stormed the venue in Khar, disrupting an ongoing live performance by stand-up comedian Rajat Sood and damaging the club’s set.


Following the attack, an FIR was registered against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 others for vandalizing the club. According to Sub-Inspector Vijay of Khar Police Station, the accused forcibly stopped the show and caused damage to the venue.

The club’s closure has sparked discussions about the growing threats to artistic freedom and the space for independent comedy in India.

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