India, May 4 -- Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday thanked the victim's father in the shocking Nasrapur rape-murder case for withdrawing protests and cooperating with authorities, while cautioning against attempts to exploit the tragedy.

A 65-year-old man with a criminal record has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering a three-and-a-half-year girl in Nasrapur in Bhor taluka of Pune district on May 1, which sparked widespread outrage.

Amid protests and road blockades, the CM assured that the government will push for a death penalty for the accused in the case, asserting that the state will fast-track the trial to ensure justice in "record time".

The accused was remanded to police custody till ...