Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ordered the drafting of strict rules to deny parole to individuals convicted of sexual offences, directing state officials to expedite the process during a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai. The directive follows the alleged sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Narsapur, Pune district, on May 1, by a 65-year-old man with prior criminal cases for sexual harassment.

The accused, who was convicted in the recent case, had been previously charged with sexual harassment in 1998 and 2015 but was acquitted in both instances, according to police records. Fadnavis emphasized the need to close legal loopholes enabling repeat offenders to secure parole and potentially reoffend, calling for a review of existing parole regulations for sexual crime convicts.

State Home Department officials confirmed they have begun drafting the proposed rules, which will be subject to legal scrutiny and cabinet approval. The Maharashtra government plans to introduce the revised parole framework within the next few weeks.