SC Stays Execution Of Death Sentence In Rape-Cum-Murder Case

The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the death sentence of a man accused of rape-cum-murder of an 8-year-old girl.

The trial court had convicted Veerendra for rape and murder of a minor girl, who was his near relative as well. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had upheld the findings of the trial court and confirmed death penalty.

With regard to the gravity of the crime, the Gwalior bench of the high court had this to say: “The victim of crime is an innocent child who did not provide even an excuse, much less a provocation for murder. Such cruelty towards a young child is appalling. The act of the appellant is the trial court has rightly punished the appellant with death sentence for the offence of murder. We confirm the recording of death sentence against the appellant for the offence under Section 302 monstrous self on the innocent, helpless and defenceless child.”

While confirming the death sentence, the high court had observed: “Looking to the overt act of the appellant, a deterrent sentence is necessary to be passed so that a message should go to the society that such crime should not be repeated by anyone and such heinous crime is highly deprecated and therefore of IPC.”

Now, the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has issued notice to the state by condoning the delay in preferring SLP.

By-Manavi Joshi, Student Reporter, INBA