Odisha - Man gets death penalty in minor’s rape, murder case

7 Jan 2026

The Hans India

Bhubaneswar: A Special POCSO court in Bargarh district on Tuesday sentenced a man to death after finding him guilty of the rape and murder of a six-year-old minor girl in Paikmal area of the district in November 2024.“On November 15, 2024, at around 9 am, the six-year-old girl and her grandfather were at their house when the accused, identified as Prashanta Bag (21), called the victim to go fishing. Bag, along with two other minors, took the girl to a nearby water body,” said Dyutish Acharya, special Public Prosecutor in-charge. Acharya said after a few minutes, Bag left the two other minors at the water body and took the girl alone into the jungle, where he sexually assaulted her. Fearing that she might reveal the incident to her family, he brutally bludgeoned her to death. The accused also strangled the victim with a belt.

When the victim’s grandfather, who had gone to his paddy field for harvesting, returned after a few hours, he found Bag at his house with blood on his cheek. Suspecting foul play, he asked Bag the whereabouts of his granddaughter. Bag gave evasive answers, claiming he had sent her away long ago and did not know where she was. The grandfather and other villagers began searching for the victim and eventually found the girl’s body lying nude in a pool of blood in the nearby jungle, with severe head injuries. They also discovered that her neck had been tied with a belt. The villagers and family members caught Bag and handed him over to the police. Based on the grandfather’s complaint, Paikmal police registered a case and arrested Bag on November 15, 2024. 

After examining the statements of 37 prosecution witnesses, 55 documents, and 27 material objects, the court pronounced its judgment on Tuesday. The family of the deceased was awarded a compensation of Rs 15 lakh under the victim compensation scheme. Northern Range IG Himanshu Kumar Lal said that the judgment of the case will certainly become a deterrent against the heinous crimes against women and girls.

Source: https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/man-gets-death-penalty-in-minors-rape-murder-case-1037169#

Tamil Nadu - Death sentence to labourer for sexually assaulting, impregnating 15-year-old daughter

Published - January 05, 2026 07:25 pm IST - TIRUNELVELI

The Hindu Bureau

The special court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) cases has awarded the death sentence to a 43-year-old labourer, who sexually assaulted and impregnated his 15-year-old daughter.

According to prosecution, a tree-cutter from a village near Valliyoor lived with his second wife and two daughters, aged 15 and 12, after his first wife left him several years ago. Since the second wife was also a labourer, the eldest daughter stopped going to school to cook food for the family.

When the girl was alone in the house, the tree-cutter sexually assaulted his daughter on multiple occasions and threatened to kill her if she told her mother about it. When the girl developed health issues in February last, her mother took her to the hospital where the doctors found that she was pregnant. Based on a complaint from the girl’s mother, Valliyoor All Women Police registered a case against the tree-cutter and arrested him. Investigators also collected DNA samples, which proved categorically the charges against the tree-cutter.

POCSO Court Judge K. Suresh Kumar, who awarded the death sentence to a man from a village near Nanguneri in a similar case on December 24, 2025, gave capital punishment to the tree-cutter on Monday. Special Public Prosecutor P. Usha said the court also directed the Tamil Nadu Government to pay a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the victim.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/death-sentence-to-labourer-for-sexually-assaulting-impregnating-15-year-old-daughter/article70473717.ece

Chandigarh - ‘Blind Love for Raja Betas’: HC Tears Into Patriarchy While Jailing Child Rape-Murder Convict for 30 Years

Updated 26 December 2025 at 17:13 IST

The Punjab and Haryana High Court sentenced a man to 30 years in prison for raping and killing a five-year-old girl, while sharply criticising India’s ‘Raja Beta’ culture and blind parental protection rooted in patriarchy.

Shruti Sneha | India News

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has changed the death sentence of a man sentenced for the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in 2018 to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment, while making pertinent observations on what it described as the deeply rooted “Raja Beta” mindset in parts of Indian society. The appeal was being heard by a division bench consisting of Justices Anoop Chitkara and Sukhvinder Kaur. The appeal was submitted by a mother-son pair who had been found guilty of the violent crime. The court upheld the accused's conviction but reduced the death penalty to a fixed 30-year prison sentence and levied a fine of ₹30 lakh to compensate the child's relatives.

Punjab and Haryana High Court - File photo

Court’s Sharp Observations on Social Mindset

The High Court noted in its ruling that boys are frequently seen as "precious Raja Betas" in many families, especially in northern India, regardless of how defective or even illegal their behavior may be. Such blind parental support, particularly by women, is "deeply embedded in the region's patriarchal mindset and culture," the court observed. The bench noted that even after learning of her son's heinous conduct, the mother decided to protect him instead of calling the police or pursuing justice for the victim. Although not criminally culpable in this instance, the court characterized this inclination as socially unacceptable.

The Crime: What Happened in 2018

The incident occurred on May 31, 2018. The accused had been employed by the victim's father, a small-time tent installer, for almost five or six years. The prosecution claims that after bringing the five-year-old child to his home, the accused sexually assaulted her then fatally stabbed her with a kitchen knife. He then hid her body inside a large kitchen container used by his mother for storage, after emptying it. The accused's mother was away at work at the time of the crime. The child's family was later informed by the villagers that they had seen the youngster accompanying the accused as he led her to his residence. The accused was observed strolling with the youngster while holding her hand, according to CCTV footage from a local school. When the accused's mother was questioned by the family and locals at his home, she refused to let them in and denied that her son or the child was there. A container was found in the compound by the victim's relative. The child's body was discovered inside when it was opened.

Charges and Trial Court Verdict

The accused was booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, which include Sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 366 and 363 (kidnapping), and 201 (causing missing of evidence), along with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. In addition, his mother was accused of aiding in the crime's concealment under IPC Sections 120-B, 366, 363, and 201. The trial court found both guilty on January 24, 2020. His mother received a sentence of seven years of hard labor, while the accused was given the death penalty. Later, both appealed the decision to the High Court.

High Court Decision on the Mother’s Role

The mother was finally cleared of all charges, despite the High Court's harsh criticism of her behavior. According to the bench, she acted out of "orthodox conditioning" and an innate desire to keep her son safe. Although her actions were ethically and socially repugnant, the court determined that they did not constitute criminal conspiracy or active involvement in the crime. The bench stated, "Her only fault was trying to protect her Raja Beta," noting that although such behavior was wrong, it could not result in criminal punishment in this particular instance.

Why Death Penalty Was Reduced

Calling the crime gruesome, the court noted that the child had “absolute trust” in the accused and could not have imagined the “evil of a devil.” In order to protect other women and children, the judges emphasized that the convict posed a major threat to society and needed to stay behind bars. Nonetheless, the bench noted that the murder was not planned and was carried out in a haste to obliterate any proof of rape. Based on this, the court decided that it would not be acceptable to take the convict's life through judicial execution. Rather, it chose a "humane mix" of punishment, reducing the death penalty to 30 years in jail without the possibility of early release. According to the court, incapacitating the offender for an extended period of time will better serve the interests of justice and public safety.

Principles of Sentencing Explained

Additionally, the High Court established more general guidelines for punishment, stating that a sentence must be steady and balanced, akin to a table with equally strong legs. The bench states that when determining a sentence, judges must take into account four important factors; the crime; the victim; the criminal and his family; and society and the state. The accused's conviction was affirmed by the High Court, which also lowered his death sentence to 30 years in jail, fined the victim's family ₹30 lakh, and cleared his mother of all charges. However, the court strongly condemned the mindset and acts that led to the crime.

Source: https://www.republicworld.com/india/blind-love-for-raja-betas-hc-tears-into-patriarchy-while-jailing-child-rape-murder-convict-for-30-years

Maharashtra - Man sentenced to death for assaulting woman, murdering her child

Summary

A lower court in Maharashtra, India, has sentenced a man to death for brutally killing a three-year-old child while assaulting the child’s mother. The incident took place on June 19, 2017, in Kanchanpur village, Mulchera taluka, Gadchiroli District, when the victim’s husband was away for work. 

The court found Sanju Vishwanath Sarkar guilty of choking the child to death by forcefully pressing his mouth during the attack on the woman. The case stemmed from this violent assault that occurred more than eight years ago.

Source: https://www.uniindia.com/man-sentenced-to-death-for-assaulting-woman-murdering-her-child/west/news/3684634.html

Gujarat - Husband Gets Death Sentence For Brutal 2021 Murder In Vapi

A sessions court in Vapi held the 2021 killing of a woman by her husband to be exceptionally brutal, awarding the death penalty.

Published : December 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM IST

Vapi (Gujarat): A sessions court in Vapi has sentenced a man to death for the murder of his wife, a case that dates back to September 2021 and had sent shockwaves through the Dungra Dungri area of the town. The Third Additional Sessions Court held Laxmikant alias Bhola Muchkundlal Vishwakarma guilty of killing his wife, Sadhnadevi Vishwakarma (29), inside their rented room. The court described the crime as falling in the “rarest of the rare” category. According to the prosecution, the couple’s marriage was strained, with frequent arguments triggered by the accused’s suspicion of his wife. What began as routine domestic discord eventually turned violent.

Representational Image (Getty Images)

In the early hours of September 16, 2021, between 1 and 2 am, Vishwakarma attacked his wife with a large knife. He slit her throat and severed her head inside the room they were staying in. Investigators told the court that the accused then carried the severed head to a drain near the Fish Market on the main road in the Dungra Dungri area, allegedly to prevent identification, and fled with the weapon. The incident came to light after the room owner, Chandrakesh Khushal Yadav, and his wife were woken by unusual sounds. When they stepped out, they saw the accused walking towards the drain, holding a blood-soaked head in one hand and a knife in the other. The couple later informed the police.

Vapi police reached the spot shortly after and recovered the head from the drain, while the woman’s headless body was found inside the rented room. The accused was arrested within hours. During the trial, the prosecution relied on eyewitness accounts, material evidence and the nature of the crime itself. Public prosecutor Rakesh Champaneria argued that the brutality of the act left little room for leniency. After hearing the arguments, Additional Sessions Judge Pushpa Saini convicted the accused under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and awarded the death sentence. The court also imposed a fine of ₹5,000, with a default sentence of two years’ simple imprisonment. The accused was further convicted under Section 201 of the IPC for attempting to destroy evidence. For this, he was sentenced to five ears’ imprisonment and fined ₹1,000. In case of default, he will undergo six months’ simple imprisonment.

Source: https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/husband-gets-death-sentence-for-brutal-2021-murder-in-vapi-gujarat-enn25122306660

Uttar Pradesh - Court awards death sentence to five in doctor murder case

Former maid among convicts; two accused acquitted for lack of evidence

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, Updated At : 02:45 AM Dec 22, 2025 IST

A Kurukshetra court has awarded the death penalty to five persons for the murder of Dr Vanita Arora and dacoity at her residence in 2023. The judgment was pronounced by the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge (Fast Track Special Court), which sentenced Manish Kumar of Uttar Pradesh; Vikramjeet alias Bittu and Vikram alias Vicky of Kaithal; Poonam of Kurukshetra; and Sunil Kumar of Hisar to death by hanging.

Kurukshetra doctor murder case: House help, her lover among five accused sentenced to death
Source: PTC News

The convicts were held guilty of offences punishable under Sections 120B, 323, 395, 396, 397, 302, 460 and 201 of the IPC, along with provisions of the Arms Act. The court ordered that the death sentence shall not be executed until confirmed by the High Court, as mandated under Section 407 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). All sentences will run concurrently. Meanwhile, the court acquitted the doctor’s servant, Ketram, and alleged arms supplier Umesh Kumar, citing lack of sufficient evidence against them.

Dr Vanita Arora (60) was murdered on the night of January 9, 2023, when four men entered her house in Kurukshetra to commit robbery. She and her husband, Dr Atul Arora (62), ran a clinic from their residence. In his complaint to the police, Dr Atul stated that the clinic operated on the ground floor, while the family lived on the first floor. Around 9.20 pm, as he was sitting with his parents, he heard his wife scream. When he rushed out, two of the accused allegedly put a pistol to his head and demanded cash and jewellery.

Dr Atul told the police that he handed over Rs 1 lakh to the assailants. He was allegedly beaten for nearly 15 minutes as the accused demanded more money and the keys to lockers. When Dr Vanita resisted, she was struck on the head, causing fatal injuries. Dr Atul managed to escape by jumping from the first floor and sought help from neighbours while also calling the police. When he returned, he found his wife lying dead. The accused fled with cash and jewellery.

According to the prosecution, the accused had gained entry into the house on the pretext of buying a cake, as Dr Vanita also ran a bakery from the premises. A case was registered at City Thanesar police station. The family had raised suspicion against a former maid, Poonam, and her associate Vikram. During the investigation, the police arrested Vikram, Vikramjeet, Sunil Kumar, Manish Kumar, Poonam, Ketram and Umesh Kumar. District Deputy Attorney Rajkumar said the court awarded the death penalty to five accused in the murder case, while two others were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/court-awards-death-sentence-to-five-in-doctor-murder-case/

‘Reformation not considered’: Gujarat High Court commutes capital punishment of rape convict to life term

While considering the jail report, the high court noted that the convict’s conduct in the jail is good, and held that the trial court did not undertake any such exercise to verify the aspect leading towards reformative measures.

Written by Ashish Shaji

New Delhi | Updated: 

December 16, 2025 12:26 PM IST

The Gujarat High Court recently commuted the death sentence imposed on a man to life imprisonment who was convicted for raping a minor girl. A bench comprising Justices Ilesh J Vora and R T Vachhani was hearing proceedings over the confirmation and challenge of the convict’s death penalty when it noted that the trial court did not consider the possibility of convict’s reformation while awarding the death sentence.

Justice Ilesh J Vora 

“While awarding the sentence of death penalty has not taken into consideration the several factors as deliberated in the foregoing paragraphs with any possibility of reformative measures and therefore in absence of any antecedents, the imposition of death penalty deserves to be interfered with,” the high court said.

Justice R. T. Vachhani

While considering the jail report, the high court noted that the convict’s conduct in the jail is good, and held that the trial court did not undertake any such exercise to verify the aspect leading towards reformative measures. “In view of the jail report, no such antecedents are reported and conduct of the convict in the jail is reported to be good; however learned Special Court has not undertaken any such exercise to verify the aspect leading towards reformative measures,” the court said.

Case

The complainant had said that the accused had called the minor girl to his house on the pretext of giving her tamarind and raped her. Based on the complaint, FIR was registered for the offence under Sections 363, 376(AB) (rape of woman under twelve years of age) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 5(m), 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The sessions court convicted and sentenced the man to capital punishment. The convict challenged the trial court’s judgment before the high court. The state had also sought confirmation of the death penalty. The counsel for the state argued that the sessions court had rightly imposed the death sentence on the convict after considering the evidence.

On the other hand, the counsel for the convict submitted that the present case does not fall within ‘rarest of rare case’ to award death sentence. The court held that if the entire evidence of the survivor is considered, it is clearly proved that the accused had committed rape upon the minor child. It further added that the child witness identified the accused when he was shown on the screen. The court further noted that the complainant had also given evidence supporting the facts of the prosecution’s case. While referring to the medical evidence, the court said that the “accused committed forcible sexual intercourse with the minor victim on the day of the incident”.

The court while upholding the conviction of the convict set aside the death penalty and commuted it life imprisonment which shall mean the imprisonment for reminder of life. “the death penalty / capital punishment imposed upon the convict for the offence punishable under Sections Section 376 (AB) of the IPC and Section 5 (m) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children of Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short the POCSO Act) is commuted to the imprisonment of life which shall mean the imprisonment for reminder of life. Rest of the conviction and sentence as awarded by the learned Sessions Court shall remain unaltered,” the court said.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/reformation-not-considered-gujarat-high-court-commutes-capital-punishment-10422762/