In
a small town in the heart of Wardha district, a profound tragedy unfolded on
February 10, 2020. The town came to a standstill as its people, both young and
old, took to the streets in a solemn yet resolute protest. They had lost a
cherished member of their community, a young botany teacher named Ankita, and
they were determined to ensure her quest for justice was not in vain.
Ankita's File Photo
Ankita's
life was brutally cut short, and the locals, with heavy hearts, united to
demand the harshest punishment for the man responsible, a married individual
named Nagrale, who had a child of his own. Their outcry echoed through the
town, and their calls for justice were heard not just by their neighbors but by
the state's highest authorities.
The
Chief Minister of the state, Uddhav Thackeray, responded swiftly to the
public's outcry, promising the victim's family a fast-track hearing. To ensure
justice was served, he appointed the esteemed Nikam as the prosecutor, while
the then-Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh, offered a job to a member of Ankita's
grieving family.
File Photo: Vikesh Nagrale The Criminal And Victim Ankita Pisudde
Ankita
had sustained severe burn injuries, and in a compassionate gesture, Sunil
Keswani, the director of the National Burns Centre in Navi Mumbai, was sent to
the Orange City Hospital to oversee her treatment. The town held its breath as
the legal proceedings unfolded.
Nikam,
in his role as the prosecutor, informed the court that the accused was in no
condition to argue against receiving the maximum punishment. The prosecution
needed time to present the evidence that would highlight the gravity of the
crime and support their demand for a severe sentence. The accused's counsel,
Bhupendra Sone, asked for time to present mitigating circumstances.
As
the court proceedings unfolded, it was clear that the town's hopes for justice
hung in the balance. Ankita's father, Arun Pisudde, yearned for the accused to
receive the maximum punishment, while the accused's counsel vowed to fight for
his client's innocence.
The
day of judgment arrived, and the court premises were transformed into a
fortress, with police blocking all approaching roads to prevent any
disturbances. Onlookers gathered outside the court, eagerly awaiting the
outcome.
Ankita's
tragic story had touched the hearts of many, including Ramdas Pohane, a
resident of Daroda village, Ankita's native place. He spoke of the town's
collective desire for justice, urging the court to deliver a sentence that
would serve as a deterrent against such heinous acts.
Ankita
had suffered from severe burns and succumbed to her injuries after enduring
excruciating pain for a week. Deputy Superintendent of Police Trupti Jadhav
worked diligently to complete the investigation in just 19 days, submitting a
substantial 426-page charge sheet on February 28, 2020.
The
prosecution's case alleged that the accused had accosted Ankita while she was
on her way to teach a lecture at a local college. Tragically, he set her on
fire after she rejected his advances and poured kerosene on her. The court
heard that he had previously threatened her life if she did not agree to his
proposal for marriage. Ankita had once considered him a friend, but she severed
ties with him due to his unwelcome advances.
As
the town grappled with the loss of a bright young teacher, they also faced the
tension of uncertainty and the quest for justice. Two years after Ankita's
untimely death, the court declared the accused guilty of murder. The trial had
concluded, but the quantum of punishment was yet to be pronounced, leaving the
town with mixed emotions, yearning for closure and justice.
The
timeline of this tragic saga reveals the strength of the human spirit and the
pursuit of justice:
• February 3, 2020: Ankita Pisudde
was set on fire by Nagrale
• February 10, 2020: She succumbed to
burn injuries
• February 28, 2020: Wardha police
filed a comprehensive 426-page charge sheet
• March 5, 2020: The trial commenced
in the sessions court
• February 9, 2022: The court found
Nagrale guilty of murder
• February 10, 2022: The quantum of
punishment was yet to be pronounced
This
story serves as a poignant reminder of the strength of communities in the face
of tragedy and their unrelenting pursuit of justice for the innocent. The
journey is far from over, and the town remains steadfast in its quest for
closure and the hope that Ankita's memory will live on as a symbol of
resilience and determination.