In a recent ruling, a sessions court in Gondia, Maharashtra, handed down a death sentence to a man for setting fire to his wife, son, and father-in-law in February of the previous year. The judgment was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge NB Lavte on May 9. As per a statement released by Gondia’s Superintendent of Police, the accused frequently questioned his wife’s character and engaged in frequent altercations with her.
On February 14, 2023, at his maternal residence, the accused poured petrol on his sleeping father-in-law and ignited him. Upon the entrance of his wife and 4-year-old son, he set fire to them and the entire house. Tragically, the accused’s father-in-law perished immediately, while his wife and son succumbed to their injuries approximately a week later.
A day following the harrowing incident, authorities registered a case under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), 436 (mischief by fire or any explosive substance), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), leading to the apprehension of the accused on February 16, 2023. Relying on seized material, circumstantial evidence, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies, the sessions court found the accused guilty of offenses under Sections 302 and 436 of the IPC.
He received the death penalty and was fined ₹10,000 for the offense under Section 302. Additionally, he was given a life sentence for the offense under Section 436 and fined ₹10,000. Under Section 366 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), a referral has been initiated to the Bombay High Court to confirm the death sentence.
According to this provision, when a sessions court issues a death sentence, it must be referred to the High Court for confirmation, and the execution of the death sentence cannot proceed until the High Court confirms it.
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