Agra Court Awards Death Penalty to Father and Sons in 2022 Double Murder Case
In a landmark judgment, a court in Agra has awarded the death penalty to a man and his two sons for the brutal murder of their daughter-in-law and her companion in 2022. The court described the crime as falling under the "rarest of rare" category, justifying the maximum punishment.
Details of the Conviction and Sentencing
Additional District Judge Amarjeet convicted Madan Singh Sisodia, aged 55, and his sons Gaurav, 36, and Abhishek, 34, ordering that they be "hanged by the neck until death." The court also imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on each convict and granted them a 30-day period to file an appeal. In a related development, Madan Singh's wife, Neelam, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Background and Circumstances of the Crime
According to ADGC Mohit Pal, the incident occurred on the afternoon of May 27, 2022, in the Etmad-ud-Daula area of Agra. Gaurav, with assistance from his father and brother, attacked his wife, Pooja, and her friend Shivam using sticks and sharp-edged weapons. Shockingly, Gaurav continued to assault the victims with sticks even after they had died. All accused were arrested within hours of the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
An FIR was registered at the Etmadaullah police station under IPC sections 498A (domestic violence), 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The police filed the chargesheet in August 2022. In their defense, the accused claimed that the victims killed each other following a dispute, a contention that was firmly rejected by the prosecution.
Motives and Family Dynamics
Pal revealed that Pooja and Gaurav married in 2015, but their relationship deteriorated over alleged dowry demands. Gaurav suspected Pooja of having an affair with her distant relative Shivam. Both families were engaged in the silver anklet business, adding a layer of complexity to the case. The court's decision underscores the severity of crimes involving domestic violence and dowry-related issues.
