Navale Bridge blockade in Pune snarls highway as villagers demand justice for a child

Accused reportedly arrested even as protests escalated

A protest by villagers blocked the Navale Bridge in Pune, halting traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru highway for hours and leaving vehicle queues stretching about two kilometres. The action followed outrage over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a 4-year-old. Pune Rural Police arrested the accused and an FIR was filed by the victim’s mother under multiple IPC and POCSO sections.