President Droupadi Murmu Rejects Mercy Petition of Convict in Child Rape-Murder Case
President Droupadi Murmu Rejects Mercy Petition of Convict in Child Rape-Murder Case
Justice has taken a decisive step as President Droupadi Murmu rejected the mercy petition of Ravi Ashok Ghumare, who was convicted for the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of a two-year-old girl in Maharashtra in 2012. Officials confirmed on Sunday, December 14, 2025, that Ghumare’s plea had been turned down on November 6, according to the status of mercy petitions released by Rashtrapati Bhavan.
This decision marks the third time that President Murmu has denied a mercy plea since assuming office on July 25, 2022.
Ghumare’s conviction had already been upheld by the Supreme Court on October 3, 2019. A three-judge bench, including Justice Surya Kant (now Chief Justice of India), delivered the verdict by a 2:1 majority, stating that he had “no control over his carnal desires” and had gone beyond all natural, social, and legal boundaries to satisfy his sexual urges. The court described the act as having “ruthlessly finished a life which was yet to bloom” and highlighted the horrifying nature of the crime.
Justice Surya Kant, writing for himself and retired Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, observed, “The victim was barely a two-year-old baby whom the appellant kidnapped and apparently kept on assaulting for over four to five hours till she breathed her last.” He further stated, “The appellant, who had no control over his carnal desires, surpassed all natural, social and legal limits just to satiate his sexual hunger. He ruthlessly finished a life which was yet to bloom.”
The court emphasized that instead of showing protection, care, and affection expected from a responsible adult, Ghumare turned the child into a victim of lust. The majority verdict noted, “It’s a case where trust has been betrayed, and social values are impaired. The unnatural sex with a two-year-old toddler exhibits a dirty and perverted mind, showcasing a horrifying tale of brutality.”
The prosecution reported that the incident occurred on March 6, 2012, in Indiranagar locality of Jalna city, Maharashtra. The perpetrator had lured the toddler with a chocolate before committing the crime.
Ghumare was convicted and sentenced to death by the trial court on September 16, 2015. The Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence in January 2016. President Murmu’s rejection of the mercy petition reinforces the finality of the judicial process in cases involving extreme brutality and societal outrage. It also reflects the nation’s uncompromising stance on crimes that betray trust and violate the most basic human and social values.
