Calcutta HC Commutes Death Sentence In Rape-Murder Of Minor

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-06-26 23:14:28 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-26 22:20:04

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In a significant judgment, the Calcutta High Court has commuted the death sentence of a convict to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a minor girl in 2009. The court cited the rare and discretionary powers available to the court under Article 161 of the Constitution of India in exercising its judicial mercy.

The bench of Justices Sanjukta Pallickar and Suvra Ghosh highlighted the extraordinary nature of this case, where the victim was just 11 years old, and the accused was found guilty of not only raping her but also murdering her and disposing of her body in a canal.

However, the court unequivocally upheld the conviction, noting that the evidence established his guilt beyond any reasonable doubt. The bench emphasized that the criminal justice system's primary goal is to pursue justice and that the imposition of the death penalty is reserved for the rarest of rare cases.

The court took into account that the offender had been behind bars for over a decade, rendering the punishment commensurate with the crime. This decision upholds the principles of judicial discretion and mercy, seeking a balance between justice and humanity.

The verdict reminds us of the ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty and the considerations that go into sentencing decisions, especially when dealing with heinous crimes. While it remains a contentious issue, this case highlights the importance of considering all aspects of a crime and the context behind it when meting out appropriate punishment.

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