Kopardi rape and murder case: Parent's seek capital punishment

After a local court today held three men guilty of raping and murdering a 15- year-old girl in Kopardi village, the victim's parents have sought death for the convicts.
Additional Special Judge Suvarna Kevale held Jitendra Babulal Shinde, Santosh Gorakh Bhawal and Nitin Gopinath Bhailume guilty of rape, murder and criminal conspiracy.
"We waited for a long time and today the court held all three men guilty. To send a stern message in the society, the convicts should be awarded death punishment so that no one will dare to commit such an act in the future," the victim's mother said.

She also said they were thankful to the Maratha community, who took out marches, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, police and government for supporting them.
The victim's father, too, sought death for the convicts.
"Entire Maratha community feels that the convicts should get nothing but the death sentence," he said.

Ahead of the verdict, residents from Kopradi and its nearby villages had thronged the court.
The incident had triggered widespread protests from the Maratha community with marches being held across the state.
The girl was found murdered after being raped on July 13 at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district. She belonged to the Maratha community.