: Five days after the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Ahmednagar’s Kopardi village, the State government on Monday announced compensation of Rs. 8 lakh for the victim’s family.
The Opposition slammed the government for not taking cognisance of the incident for three days and taking action only after a public outcry and media coverage.
The issue rocked the first day of the monsoon session of the State Assembly, with the Opposition moving an adjournment motion in both houses and demanding a discussion. “The government should feel ashamed for the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. Neither did the Home Minister nor the guardian minister bother to meet the victim’s family. This is highly insensitive on their part,” said Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, while supporting the adjournment motion moved by Congress MLA Nitesh Rane.
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“The house must keep all its business aside and discuss the Kopardi case. There cannot be anything more important than this. A law should be enacted which will send shivers to those who even think of committing such a heinous crime,” said NCP leader Ajit Pawar.
After Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde denied permission for a discussion, the Opposition in the late evening decided to bring in a no-confidence motion against Mr. Bagde.
In the State council, an aggressive Opposition raised a similar demand, with LoP Dhananjay Munde moving an adjournment motion. Senior Congress MLC Narayan Rane claimed that the criminals in the State have no fear of law. On the back foot, the government agreed to discuss the matter on Tuesday.
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Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis read out a statement describing the government’s action. “The case shall run in a fast track court and Ujjwal Nikam will be the public prosecutor.” Apart from Rs. 3 lakh from the government’s Manodhairya scheme, Mr. Fadnavis announced an extra Rs. 5 lakh for the victim’s family from the CM relief fund.
Three people have been arrested in the case. On Monday, a bandh was observed in many parts of Ahmadnagar district.
On Sunday, Deepak Kesarkar, MoS Home, who visited the victim’s family, was surrounded by local women who demanded immediate action against the arrested accused.