Pune/Mumbai/Nagpur, 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 raping 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 chief minister 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 May 7. "Some people were trying to take advantage of the situation and divert it to a different direction. However, I thank the girl's father. After discussing with the police commissioner, he decided to withdraw the protest. We are aware of the people who are trying to mislead him," said Fadnavis. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, the chief minister said that he spoke to the family of the victim and assured them of full cooperation. "I spoke twice to the father of the victim, and I have told him that we will work towards getting capital punishment for the accused. Accordingly, we will fast-track the case and complete it in record time," Fadnavis said. Responding to the criticism against the home department headed by him, Fadnavis took a swipe at opposition leaders. "It is laughable that those involved in cash-for-transfers scandals are teaching us about law and order," he said in an apparent reference to ex-home minister and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Anil Deshmukh. Deshmukh has called for the immediate implementation of the Shakti Act, suggesting that the "fear of law" doesn't exist under the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Deshmukh accused the Mahayuti government and the Centre of "passing the buck" on the law, which provides for the death penalty in such heinous cases. On Saturday, hundreds of people, including the kin of the girl, blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune by placing her body on the road in the Navale Bridge area. They demanded stringent punishment for the accused arrested in the case. Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium in Pune shortly after midnight amid tight police security With political leaders cutting across party lines visiting the victim's residence to offer condolences, the father of the deceased minor girl has appealed to political leaders to avoid visiting his home for now, saying the family wishes to focus solely on securing justice. "By the time I came to immerse the ashes of my daughter in Dehu village, I received calls from my family members that multiple politicians were coming to our residence to offer condolences. I appeal to all politicians that until my daughter receives true justice, until the accused is hanged, please do not visit my house. It's a humble request," he said in a video message. "We will meet with politicians, or anyone else who wishes to meet us, only after the accused is hanged," he added. A Pune police officer said a special investigation team comprising six police officers, including two women, has been set up to probe the crime. "We will add more officers and personnel depending on the course of the investigation," he said on Sunday. The Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) workers on Sunday staged a protest at Goodluck Chowk in Pune over the recent alleged rape and murder case of minor, demanding strict and swift action against the accused. NCP (SP) Pune president Shrikant Patil called for a speedy trial and justice through a fast track court, while also raising concerns over pending cases in the system. A bandh was called in parts of Pune district, including Bhor and Rajgad tehsils, on Sunday in protest against the brutal rape and murder of the minor girl in Nasrapur. According to sources, a poster circulating on social media urged residents to observe a shutdown and participate in protests demanding justice for the victim. Shops and establishments in several areas remained shut on Sunday, while citizens staged demonstrations....