States » WestPosted at: Oct 29 2026 5:10PM


Nagpur: HC commutes death sentence in Gadchiroli rape-murder case

Nagpur, Oct 29 (UNI) The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has commuted the death sentence of a Gadchiroli man convicted of raping a woman and murdering her three-year-old son in 2017.
A division bench of Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Wakode on Wednesday converted the death sentence awarded to Sanju Vishwanath Sarkar by the Aheri Additional Sessions Court on December 24, 2025, into life imprisonment.
The case pertains to an incident on the night of June 19, 2017, at Kanchanpur village in Mulchera taluka of Gadchiroli district.
The woman was at home with her son while her husband was away in Andhra Pradesh for work.
According to the prosecution, Sarkar, a neighbour, entered the house and sexually assaulted the woman. When the child woke up and started crying, he smothered him to death.
He also attacked the woman when she attempted to save her son.
The incident came to light the following morning when villagers found the woman seriously injured and the child dead.
The woman survived after receiving medical treatment.
The trial court had sentenced Sarkar to death for murder and awarded life imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment for the attempted murder of the woman and 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for house trespass.
The prosecution relied on witness testimony, medical evidence and circumstantial evidence during the trial.
After examining the case and arguments of prosecution, the High Court concluded the crime did not meet the legal threshold for the "rarest of rare" cases.
It commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for murder.
The court retained life imprisonment for rape, with fine of Rs 2,000 and awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for attemped murder with a fine of 2,000.
For unlawful entry into a house, it imposed 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.
The High Court's ruling means Sarkar will serve life imprisonment instead of facing execution.
The High Court modified the sentence awarded by the trial court, reducing the punishment while upholding the convictions and retaining the other sentences ordered in the case.
UNI PK RN
Tags: #Nagpur: HC commutes death sentence in Gadchiroli rape-murder case
More News

Ahilyanagar: 25 cattle rescued from alleged illegal slaughter

29 Oct 2026 | 5:22 PM

Ahilyanagar, Oct 29 (UNI) The Local Crime Branch (LCB) has carried out a major operation in Sangamner city of Ahilyanagar district, rescuing 25 cattle allegedly kept tied up for illegal slaughter.
Acting on a tip-off, the LCB team raided Mona Plot in Jamjam Colony, where cows, bulls and calves were allegedly being held illegally for slaughter.

see more..

Nagpur: HC commutes death sentence in Gadchiroli rape-murder case

29 Oct 2026 | 5:10 PM

Nagpur, Oct 29 (UNI) The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has commuted the death sentence of a Gadchiroli man convicted of raping a woman and murdering her three-year-old son in 2017.

see more..

Maha: Congress' Wanjari retains Nagpur Graduates’ seat, defeats BJP’s Kohale by 3,271 votes

29 Oct 2026 | 4:46 PM

Nagpur, Oct 29 (UNI) Congress candidate and sitting MLC, Abhijeet Wanjari, has retained the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, defeating BJP nominee and former MLA Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes after a marathon counting process lasting over 40 hours.

see more..

MCOCA Court Remands 11 Accused in Tiger Shroff Firing Case to Police Custody Till November 7

29 Oct 2026 | 4:41 PM

Mumbai, Oct 29 (UNI) A special court hearing cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Thursday remanded all 11 accused in the Tiger Shroff firing case to police custody till November 7, after the stringent law was invoked in the case.

see more..

19 arrested in Mumbai for illegal sale of duplicate foreign cigarettes, E-Cigarettes; stock worth Rs 72 21 lakh seized

29 Oct 2026 | 4:18 PM

Mumbai, Oct 29 (UNI) Pydhonie Police have arrested 19 people for allegedly stocking and selling duplicate foreign-made cigarettes and e-cigarettes illegally after raiding a premises in South Mumbai and seizing contraband worth Rs 72.21 lakh, police said on Wednesday.

see more..