Malegaon Rape Murder Case: Violence breaks out as thousands of enraged people enter the court complex, demanding justice

Angry protestors threw stones and shoes at the court gate and tried to break it open. Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of people storming the compound, shouting slogans, and demanding an immediate execution of the accused.

Large-scale public anger erupted on Thursday in Malegaon tehsil as thousands of residents from Dongrale village took out a protest march demanding the death sentence for the youth accused of raping and brutally murdering a three-year-old girl. The march, which began at Ram Setu, turned violent upon reaching the court premises, where the crowd forced its way inside.

Enraged protesters were reported to have hurled stones and footwear at the court gate and even attempted to break it open. Visuals emerging on social media revealed hundreds storming into the compound, shouting slogans demanding the immediate execution of the accused. As the situation began spiralling out of control, police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.

The heinous incident

The heinous incident in which the minor was allegedly raped and then bludgeoned to death with a stone sent shockwaves across the region. One suspect has so far been arrested over the crime. Locals and the victim's family have been blocking roads for days, demanding that the accused be sentenced to death at the earliest.

Tensions had escalated earlier as the accused were produced in the Malegaon court. A large number of local women congregated outside, asking police to hand over the accused to them. Their stir sparked chaos, and heavy security was deployed both inside and outside the court to protect the accused and prevent any breach of law and order.

Police said that the investigation was continuing and assured that all legal measures were being taken to ensure strict punishment for the culprit.