Chandigarh Court Delivers Justice in 2010 MBA Student Rape-Murder Case
A Chandigarh court has sentenced a taxi driver to life imprisonment for the brutal 2010 rape and murder of a 21-year-old MBA student, declaring that the convict "does not deserve any sympathy of the court." The verdict comes after nearly 15 years of waiting for the victim's parents, who lost their only child in the horrific crime.
The Crime and Investigation
On July 30, 2010, the young MBA student left her home to attend English-speaking classes but never returned. Her body was discovered later that day, and she was rushed to PGI hospital where doctors declared her 'brought dead'. The case remained unsolved for years until a breakthrough occurred in 2024.
Monu Kumar, 38, was arrested in connection with another rape and murder case in Maloya from 2022. During police interrogation, he reportedly confessed to committing the 2010 crime. The Special Women and Child Court found Kumar guilty under sections 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During sentencing arguments on Friday, defense counsel Sunil Pandey sought leniency, arguing that Kumar was the sole support for his mother and had been falsely implicated in other cases. However, Special Public Prosecutor Maninder Kaur countered this by emphasizing the brutal nature of the crime and the 15-year wait for justice by the victim's parents, who had lost their only child.
The court noted that while this wasn't the "rarest of rare" cases warranting capital punishment, it held that "a requisite sentence has to be imposed upon the convict to protect society as a legitimate response to the collective conscience." In addition to life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Kumar.
Scientific Evidence and Police Appreciation
The court highlighted that the case wasn't solely based on circumstantial evidence but had strong scientific backing. Blood and bodily fluid samples taken from the victim's clothes and body were matched to Kumar through DNA profiling, providing crucial evidence for conviction.
In a significant acknowledgment, the court praised the police and Central Forensic Science Laboratory officials for their persistent efforts. Special recognition was given to Investigating Officer DSP Harditt Singh, SI Mohan Kashyap, and Dr. Sunita, Assistant Director/Scientist, whose work helped secure evidence against Kumar, who had remained absconding for nearly 14 years after the incident.
The court emphasized that "Judge does not preside over a criminal trial merely to see that no innocent man is punished. A judge also presides to see that a guilty man does not escape. Both are public duties." This statement underscored the court's commitment to ensuring justice was served in this long-pending case.
