Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty for Brutal Murder of Wife and Daughter

Title: Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty of Man Convicted for Brutally Killing Wife and Daughter

The Supreme Court of India recently upheld the death penalty of a man convicted for brutally killing his wife and daughter. A bench of justices NV Ramana, MM Shantanagoudar, and Ajay Rastogi pronounced the verdict on an appeal filed by the accused.

The accused, a 38-year-old man, had been convicted by a lower court for murdering his wife and 3-year-old daughter in 2010. He had received the death penalty which was later also confirmed by the High Court. The case was then taken to the Supreme Court for further appeal.

The bench, while hearing the appeal, examined the evidence and statements of witnesses and upheld the lower court's decision of awarding the death penalty. The court noted that the accused had brutally killed his wife and daughter by chopping off their heads with a meat cleaver, in a fit of rage after a heated argument with his wife.

The accused's lawyer had argued that the death penalty should be reduced to life imprisonment, citing mental illness as a mitigating factor. However, the bench deemed this argument irrelevant as the accused's mental condition was not clinically diagnosed. In addition, the court stated that the brutality and planned nature of the crime could not be ignored.

The Supreme Court further observed that crimes against women and children are on the rise and it is the duty of the courts to deliver swift and stringent punishments to act as a deterrent to such heinous acts. The bench emphasized that the death penalty is not a revenge but a measure of social necessity, in such cases.

The court also took into consideration the victim's statement recorded by a judicial magistrate before her death, where she had expressed fear for her life and her daughter's due to the accused's violent behavior. The bench cited this as a crucial piece of evidence in upholding the death penalty.

The verdict of the Supreme Court is a significant step in the fight against crimes against women and children. It sends a strong message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be brought to justice, irrespective of any mitigating factors.

The court also reiterated its stance that death penalty can only be awarded in the rarest of rare cases, where the society's collective conscience is shaken. The bench, in its verdict, has aptly upheld this principle, considering the brutal and premeditated nature of the crime.

The Supreme Court's decision will not only provide a sense of justice to the deceased but also act as a deterrent to potential offenders. It is a reminder to the society that the legal system will not tolerate any form of violence, especially against the vulnerable sections.

To conclude, the Supreme Court's judgment to uphold the death penalty of the accused is a step towards ensuring a safer society for all. The judiciary's role in punishing such heinous crimes cannot be understated and this verdict serves as an example of the same. The decision also reiterates the need for stricter laws and stringent punishment for acts of violence against women and children.