In a shocking turn of events, a 60-year-old woman died by suicide inside a courtroom in Lucknow on Friday evening, moments after being convicted in a 2023 murder case. The accused, identified as Gendabai, consumed poison immediately after the judge pronounced her and five others guilty of murdering a 22-year-old man named Kishan. She passed away while being transported to Jhansi Medical College for treatment.
The Courtroom Conviction and Tragic Aftermath
The incident unfolded in the courtroom of the Additional District and Sessions Judge. The court had just concluded final arguments and declared all five remaining accused persons guilty of murder. The judge ordered their immediate custody, with the sentencing scheduled for December 10.
Advocate Brijendra Singh Yadav, who represented the accused, described the scene. "As soon as the verdict was pronounced, Gendabai took out a Sulphas tablet from her clothes and swallowed it," he said. Chaos ensued as court officials and lawyers rushed to her aid. She was first taken to Lalitpur Medical College but was later referred to the larger facility at Jhansi Medical College. Tragically, she succumbed to the poison during the ambulance journey. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination in Jhansi.
Background of the 2023 Murder Case
The case dates back to September 17, 2023. The victim, Kishan, was allegedly assaulted following accusations that he had hurled abuses at villagers. According to case records, he was attacked with sticks and rods by a group of six individuals.
The assailants named in the case were Gendabai, her daughter Asharfi alias Appi, her son Bablu, her husband Nandlal, and two co-accused named Surendra and Dropal. Kishan later succumbed to the injuries sustained in this brutal assault. All six accused were arrested but were granted bail after spending approximately a year in judicial custody. The trial had been proceeding with monthly hearings. In a prior tragic event, Gendabai's husband and co-accused, Nandlal, passed away five months ago.
Legal Proceedings and Immediate Consequences
The trial had been ongoing for months, culminating in Friday's conviction. The court's declaration of guilt for murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code carries a potential life sentence or even the death penalty. The immediate custody order meant the convicted individuals were to be taken directly to prison from the courtroom.
This extreme act inside the court premises has sent shockwaves through the local legal community and raised serious questions about security protocols within courtrooms. It highlights the intense emotional and psychological pressure faced by individuals involved in protracted legal battles, especially in grave charges like murder. The police are expected to conduct a separate inquiry into the incident of suicide within the court complex.
