A lower court in Koderma on Wednesday sentenced a 53-year-old woman to life imprisonment for the murder of her four-year-old step-grandson in 2025. The convict, Rekha Devi, a resident of Gajhandi under the Tilaiya police station limits, was found guilty of killing Saurabh, the elder son of her stepson Arvind Kumar.
Court Verdict
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge – III, Rakesh Chandra, sentenced Rekha Devi to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000. In case of default in payment of the penalty, she will have to undergo an additional three months of imprisonment.
Background of the Case
Rekha Devi married Manoj Yadav in 1990 after the death of his first wife. Arvind Kumar, the son of Manoj from his first marriage, works as a truck driver. The deceased, Saurabh, was Arvind's elder son. The case came to light after Poonam Devi, Arvind's wife, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Rekha Devi.
Incident Details
According to the complaint, Poonam Devi had gone to a nearby forest on April 12, 2025. Upon returning home, she found Saurabh unconscious. The child was immediately taken to a doctor, where he was declared dead. The body was buried in a forest area on the same day.
Investigation and Trial
Following the complaint, the police exhumed Saurabh's body and sent it for postmortem examination the next day. Public prosecutor Praveen Kumar Singh stated that the prosecution presented eight witnesses and substantial evidence during the trial. The court, after examining all the facts, held Rekha Devi guilty of murder and sentenced her accordingly.
This case highlights the tragic consequences of familial disputes and underscores the importance of swift justice in cases involving vulnerable children.
