Madras High Court Upholds Life Sentence for Couple in Daughter's Murder Case
In a landmark ruling, the Madras High Court has upheld the life sentence awarded to a couple for the murder of their nine-year-old daughter, who had an intellectual disability, in Virudhunagar district. The court strongly condemned the act, stating that if parents were allowed to eliminate children with disabilities under the law, no such child would survive in the world.
Court's Observations on Parental Responsibility
A division bench comprising Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan and Justice R Poornima expressed sympathy for the difficulties faced by the accused parents in raising their child but emphasized the fundamental duty of parents to care for their offspring, regardless of any disabilities. The judges observed, "No one has the right to take the law into their own hands and extinguish the life of another person. Even today, many parents make immense sacrifices, and even lay down their lives, for children born with disabilities."
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2022 when the fast track mahila court in Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar district, convicted and sentenced the couple to life imprisonment. According to prosecution details, the girl, born in 2009, suffered from intellectual disability from birth and required constant care, which caused mental distress to her parents. On October 1, 2018, the couple took their daughter near a temple and administered poison by mixing it with a cool drink. The child succumbed to the poisoning on October 6, 2018.
Evidence and Court's Decision
The judges noted that the child was in the exclusive custody of her parents, who admitted to administering the poison and subsequently took her to the hospital. Medical evidence conclusively proved that the death resulted from poisoning. The court found no perversity or illegality in the trial court's judgment, confirming the life sentence. The bench dismissed the couple's appeal, reinforcing that parents must uphold their bounden duty to protect their children, irrespective of challenges.
