Man Gets Life Sentence for Rape and Murder of Woman in Shivajinagar, Pune
Shivajinagar, 3rd July 2025: A Pune court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹30,000 for the brutal rape and murder of a woman in Shivajinagar. Sessions Judge D.P. Ragit pronounced the verdict against Rajesh Maniram Yadav, a resident of Wakadewadi and originally from Uttar Pradesh.
According to the prosecution, Yadav attacked the woman with a kitchen knife, raped her while she lay gravely injured, and then fled with her jewelry and cash.
The crime took place on February 18, 2015, at Anutej Atharva Society in Shivajinagar. The victim, who lived alone, had developed a friendship with Yadav. On the day of the crime, he visited her home under the pretext of helping her and began giving her a massage. When he attempted to sexually assault her and she resisted, he covered her mouth and stabbed her neck with a kitchen knife.
Despite her critical injuries, Yadav raped the woman. She succumbed to her wounds shortly afterward. Before fleeing, he stole her gold earrings, silver anklets, a mobile phone, and ₹3,000 in cash. Neighbours, alarmed by her open door, found her lying in a pool of blood.
After the victim’s son filed a complaint at the Shivajinagar police station, Yadav was arrested and chargesheeted.
Public Prosecutor Adv. Leena Pathak, representing the state, examined 16 witnesses and argued for the harshest punishment given the heinous nature of the crime. Key evidence included the victim’s medical report and fingerprint analysis, conclusively linking Yadav to the scene.
The court accepted the prosecution’s case and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a ₹30,000 fine. In default of payment, Yadav will undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
Police officers T.G. Shaikh, A.R. Kamble, and F.L. Sonawane assisted in the investigation and court proceedings.
