A court in Maharashtra Thane’s district has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing his wife by setting her ablaze.
The Judge
Additional Sessions Judge RG Waghmare, presiding over the Kalyan court, convicted Keshav Aatmaram Jadhav (55) on April 25 and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.
The judge observed that the prosecution had successfully established all charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, warranting his conviction and sentencing.
Public Prosecutors
Additional public prosecutors Sanjay Gosawi and Kadambini Khandagale informed the court that Jadhav, a resident of Lasunpada in Asangaon area of Thane district, remained idle while his wife earned a livelihood by selling garlic door-to-door.
The accused, described as a habitual drinker, frequently demanded money from his wife and subjected her to physical abuse. On June 17, 2009, in an intoxicated state, Jadhav demanded money from his 35-year-old wife. When she refused, he subjected her to severe beating. Frustrated by their ongoing disputes, the victim attempted to end her life by dousing herself in kerosene. In a tragic turn, Jadhav threw a burning matchstick at her, setting her ablaze, according to the prosecution.
Sustaining severe burns, the victim was rushed to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment, the prosecution informed the court. The court ordered that out of the fine imposed on the accused, Rs 9,000 be disbursed as compensation to the deceased’s three children.
Shahapur police station constable Vilas Shimpi stated that a total of five prosecution witnesses were examined to substantiate the charges against the accused.
