Pune: A chilling reminder of how social media–fuelled obsession can spiral into extreme violence has emerged from a Pune court verdict. An additional sessions court has sentenced Shubham alias Rushikesh Bajirao Bhagwat (now 26) to rigorous life imprisonment for the brutal 2021 murder of 13-year-old kabaddi player Kshitija Anant Vyavahare. While the court stopped short of awarding the death penalty, it underlined that the nature of the crime was “exceptionally cruel”.
According to the prosecution, the murder took place at Yash Lawns in Pune’s Bibwewadi area while the Class 8 student was attending routine kabaddi practice with her friends. Bhagwat attacked the minor around 44 times with a knife and other sharp weapons, in full view of her teammates.
Relationship, Harassment and Repeated Warnings
Investigators told the court that the accused and the victim were distant relatives. After his mother’s death, Bhagwat was living with his maternal aunt and was employed as a security guard with a private firm.
Police records show that Bhagwat had allegedly been harassing the minor girl for months, claiming to be in love with her. The girl’s family had repeatedly warned him to stay away, pointing out that she was a minor and not interested in any relationship.
Despite these warnings, the accused continued to pursue her, leading to mounting tension that ultimately culminated in the crime.
Snapchat Posts that Triggered Obsession
According to the police, the turning point came on October 9, 2021, when Bhagwat saw photographs of Kshitija on Snapchat, in which she appeared with another boy. Enraged, he went to Yash Lawns, where she was practising kabaddi, but the boy was not present.
On October 12, the accused allegedly saw two more such photographs on Snapchat. Around the same time, the girl clearly told him not to contact her again. Investigators said Bhagwat became increasingly agitated and decided that he would kill her and then die by suicide.
Planning the Murder: Weapons and Minor Accomplices
The probe revealed that the crime was not impulsive, but carefully planned. Bhagwat procured a knife from a hotel, purchased a sword and a sickle, and even arranged a lighter shaped like a pistol to intimidate witnesses.
He then enlisted the help of two friends, both minors, into his plan. One of the minors was paid ₹100 to sharpen the sword, police said. The three allegedly discussed the plan to murder the girl in advance.
The Fateful Evening
On October 12, 2021, at around 5.15 pm, the trio reached Yash Lawns on a motorcycle. Kshitija had arrived for kabaddi practice with several girls, including her cousin Shrutika Vyavahare.
Police told the court that Kshitija questioned Bhagwat about his presence and again stated clearly that she had no relationship with him. At this point, Bhagwat allegedly placed a knife on her throat.
When her friends rushed forward to help, the accused and his accomplices brandished the fake pistol, threatening them. Believing the weapon to be real, the girls stepped back in fear.
Bhagwat then slit the girl’s throat and stabbed her repeatedly, leaving her in a pool of blood. After the attack, the accused fled the scene. One of the girls immediately alerted the police control room.
FIR, Seizure and Confession
Police teams rushed to the spot and recovered a knife, the fake pistol and other weapons. The victim’s body was sent for post-mortem examination.
Shrutika later lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Bibwewadi police station under Sections 302 (murder), 506(2) (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, along with provisions of the Indian Arms Act.
After committing the murder, Bhagwat allegedly consumed rat poison in an attempt to kill himself. He survived and, upon regaining consciousness the next day, went to Bharti Vidyapeeth police station, where he confessed to the crime and detailed the purchase of weapons. He was formally arrested, while the two minor accomplices were sent to an observation home, as mandated by law.
Four-year-long Trial
A chargesheet was filed on December 29, 2021. The prosecution examined nine witnesses, including eyewitnesses to the murder and the investigating officer, Inspector Anita Hivarkar.
Special Public Prosecutor Hemant Zanjad sought the death penalty, arguing that the offence fell under the “rarest of rare” category. He told the court that Kshitija was the only child of her parents, was preparing for national-level kabaddi tournaments, and had a bright sporting future that was destroyed by the accused’s actions.
Defence counsel Yashpal Purohit, however, argued that Bhagwat had no prior criminal record and was only 22 years old at the time of the incident. He claimed the act was committed in a fit of anger, urging the court to adopt a reformative approach and award minimum punishment.
Verdict: Life Imprisonment
After hearing both sides, Additional Sessions Judge S R Salunke convicted Bhagwat on December 16, 2025, sentencing him to rigorous life imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹5,000. The cases against the two minor accused are still pending separately.
The Larger Lesson
The case goes beyond a single act of murder. It raises disturbing questions about online obsession, stalking, and the vulnerability of minors in the age of social media. Experts say it underlines the urgent need for early intervention, better awareness among families and schools, and swift action against digital harassment.
While the verdict offers a measure of closure to the victim’s family after four years, it also serves as a stark warning: unchecked obsession and misuse of digital platforms can have devastating, irreversible consequences.
