Delhi court awards life term to man in murder case

New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): A Delhi court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murder but ruled out the death penalty, stating that the case did not qualify as the "rarest of the rare."

Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann delivered the verdict while hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment for Ashish alias Babloo, who was convicted under Section 302 of the IPC and provisions of the Arms Act following an FIR registered at Prasad Nagar Police Station.

Court's Observations on the Crime​

According to the court’s order dated January 31, the convict, Ashish, carried out the murder on January 11, 2027, in a public place. He approached the victim, Paras, pulled out an improvised pistol from his pocket, placed it on the victim’s head, and fired, killing him on the spot.

Highlighting the gravity of the crime, the court noted that a 25-year-old man had been murdered, violating his constitutional right to life. However, the court emphasized the distinction between murder and cases of extreme depravity that justify the death penalty.

Balancing Aggravating and Mitigating Factors​

The court took into account both aggravating and mitigating factors in determining the sentence. While the brutality of the crime and its public execution were considered aggravating, mitigating circumstances included the fact that the convict was 34 years old at the time of the incident and was the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting his elderly parents and two minor children.

The judgment referred to the 1980 Supreme Court ruling on the "rarest of the rare doctrine," which states that while all murders involve cruelty, only cases of extreme depravity warrant the death penalty.

Final Verdict​

After assessing the nature of the crime and the possibility of reformation, the court ruled that this case did not fall under the "rarest of the rare" category.

• Ashish was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 302 IPC and ordered to pay a fine of ₹1 lakh, which will be given as compensation to the victim’s father.
• Additionally, he was sentenced to three years in prison under the Arms Act.
• Both sentences will run concurrently.

This ruling reaffirms the judiciary’s stance on capital punishment, ensuring that the death penalty is reserved for only the most heinous cases while keeping the possibility of rehabilitation in mind.