Death Penalty for Udaipur Man Who Set Wife on Fire in 'Rarest of Rare' Case

Strategic Insights -

A Rajasthan court has sentenced a 36-year-old man to death for murdering his wife by setting her on fire. Kishan Lal, who used to repeatedly humiliate his wife over her skin color and weight, told her that the chemical he applied on her body was "medicine to make her fair." Laxmi, the victim, suspected the substance to be acid but still allowed it to be applied to please her husband. While she tried to extinguish the flames with her family members, Kishan Lal fled the scene. Laxmi died from her injuries before giving a complete statement to the magistrate, which the court found reliable and consistent. The judge observed that Kishan Lal's actions were deliberate, premeditated, and cruel, and the case fell within the "rarest of rare" category, leaving no scope for leniency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kishan Lal, a 36-year-old man, was sentenced to death by hanging for murdering his wife by setting her on fire in a 'rarest of rare' case.
  • The Additional District and Sessions Court at Mavli in Rajasthan's Udaipur district found him guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
  • Kishan Lal had been repeatedly humiliating his wife, Laxmi, over her skin color and weight before eventually killing her on June 24, 2017.
  • Laxmi suspected the chemical to be acid but still allowed it to be applied to please her husband.
  • The court found the dying declaration of the victim, Laxmi, reliable and consistent, and presented 14 witnesses to support the prosecution's case.
  • The judge observed that Kishan Lal's actions were conscious and intentional, and his crime was not only against his wife but also against humanity.
  • The court emphasized that forgiveness was impossible and that only the death penalty could uphold public faith in the justice system.
  • Kishan Lal was also slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000 and sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment in case of non-payment.

Statistics:

  • June 24, 2017: The date on which Kishan Lal killed his wife, Laxmi.
  • 36: The age of Kishan Lal at the time of the incident.
  • 302: The section of the Indian Penal Code under which Kishan Lal was convicted for murder.
  • Rs 50,000: The fine imposed on Kishan Lal by the court.
  • 1 year: The additional time of rigorous imprisonment that Kishan Lal will undergo if he fails to pay the fine.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com