Mercy Denied: Upholding Justice for a Gruesome Crime

President Droupadi Murmu has denied a mercy petition for Ravi Ashok Ghumare, convicted of raping and murdering a two-year-old in 2012. The Supreme Court had upheld his death sentence, describing his actions as ruthless and perverse. This marks the third mercy plea rejection since Murmu took office.

President Droupadi Murmu has denied the mercy petition of Ravi Ashok Ghumare, convicted for the brutal rape and murder of a two-year-old girl in Maharashtra in 2012, according to officials.

Since assuming office on July 25, 2022, this marks Murmu's third rejection of a clemency request. The Supreme Court, in a decision dated October 3, 2019, confirmed Ghumare's death penalty. The court noted that Ghumare acted without restraint and exceeded all bounds of decency to fulfill his sexual urges, depicting him as having a 'perverted mind.'

The heinous crime occurred in Jalna city when Ghumare lured the young victim with candy before assaulting and ultimately killing her. A trial court first convicted him, and his death sentence was upheld by the Bombay High Court in January 2016. The Rashtrapati Bhavan released the decision to deny the mercy plea on November 6, 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)