Kanpur Court Awards Life Imprisonment to Husband for Wife's Murder
A special court under the Prevention of Corruption Act and additional sessions judge court in Kanpur Nagar delivered a significant verdict on Wednesday, convicting Ashok Vishwakarma to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000, marking a stern stance against domestic violence and homicide.
Prosecution and Trial Details
The prosecution had initially charged the accused with both dowry death and murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. However, during the trial proceedings, the court discharged Ashok Vishwakarma from the dowry charges, specifically under Section 498A of the IPC. Despite this, the prosecution successfully proved beyond reasonable doubt that the murder was committed by the accused husband, leading to his conviction under Section 302 of the IPC.
According to Additional District Government Counsel Shiv Bhagwan Goswami, the judge emphasized in her order that life imprisonment is the general rule under Section 302, with capital punishment reserved as an exception. In this case, considering the circumstances, the nature of the crime, and its seriousness, the court found the accused liable for life imprisonment. The judge further stated, "If the accused fails to pay the fine, then he is to suffer another three months' jail term," adding a financial penalty to the custodial sentence.
Background of the Case
The case originated from an FIR lodged by Rahul Singh, the brother of the deceased Priyanka, on July 10, 2020. Rahul Singh reported that his younger sister Priyanka was married to Ashok Vishwakarma, a resident of Kidwai Nagar in Kanpur. The couple had three children—one daughter and two sons. It was alleged that Ashok Vishwakarma regularly tortured and thrashed Priyanka, despite repeated pleas from family members and others to cease the physical violence.
On July 10, 2020, neighbours informed Rahul Singh that Ashok had killed Priyanka by striking her with an iron rod that was lying on the premises. This led to the immediate filing of the FIR and subsequent legal proceedings.
Sentencing Arguments and Final Decision
During the sentencing phase, the defence pleaded for leniency, arguing that the accused was a poor man with no prior criminal history. They urged the court to consider these factors in determining the punishment. In contrast, the prosecution strongly advocated for strict punishment, highlighting the gravity of the crime and its impact on the victim's family.
After weighing both sides, the court upheld the prosecution's plea, sentencing Ashok Vishwakarma to life imprisonment. The decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to addressing violent crimes within domestic settings and ensuring justice for victims.
