A court in Bareilly has sentenced a 45-year-old man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his mentally ill wife in 2022. The convict tied the woman to a cot and repeatedly electrocuted her, leading to her death. Additional sessions judge Avinash Kumar Singh delivered the verdict on Thursday evening, convicting the accused under Indian Penal Code sections 498A (cruelty by husband) and 302 (murder). The court also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the convict.
Details of the Crime
According to additional district government counsel Harendra Singh Rathore, the convict was frustrated with his wife's mental illness and often assaulted her. On the intervening night of May 1 and 2, 2022, while the victim was asleep, the accused tied her hands and legs to a cot with ropes. He then connected an aluminium wire to an electric board and repeatedly administered electric shocks to her. Despite her writhing in pain, the accused continued the torture until she succumbed to her injuries.
Attempt to Create a False Alibi
After committing the crime, the accused threw the rope and electric wire onto the roof of the house. He then went to work at a nearby brick kiln around 2 am to establish a false alibi. Later, he informed the police and the victim's family that she had accidentally grabbed a live wire and died by suicide. However, the victim's brother suspected foul play and lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the police.
Trial and Evidence
During the trial, nine prosecution witnesses were examined. The postmortem report proved to be a crucial piece of evidence. It confirmed that multiple electrocution marks on the victim's body could not have been self-inflicted, contradicting the accused's claim of suicide. Additionally, the police recovered the rope and electric wire used in the crime based on the accused's disclosure. The court found the evidence compelling and convicted the accused accordingly.
This case highlights the severity of domestic violence and the legal system's commitment to delivering justice. The life imprisonment sentence serves as a strong deterrent against such heinous acts.
