MEERUT: A fast-track court in Bulandshahr sentenced a 45-year-old man to rigorous life imprisonment for burning alive his four-month-pregnant wife over dowry in 2015. She died at a Delhi hospital after battling for life for four days. While passing the sentence on Saturday, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 17,000 on the convict.
While pronouncing the sentence, additional district and sessions judge Harikesh Kumar said: “The court should establish equilibrium between personal circumstances of the accused and the ramifications upon the collective society, wherein societal implications shall invariably be given more importance. In determining the quantum of punishment, the court ought to evaluate the criminal tendency, motive, societal repercussions of the offence, involvement of the accused and all pertinent constituent factors.”
The crime took place on April 12, 2015. Jaya Devi, then 32, from Aligarh was married to Pramod Kumar of Bulandshahr in 2007, and the couple had two children. ADGC Keshav Dev Sharma said Pramod tormented Jaya for dowry and quarrelled at home for his portion in the family’s property. “When her family failed to meet dowry demands, Pramod doused Jaya with kerosene and set her ablaze. She suffered over 85% burns and died at LNJP Hospital in Delhi. In her dying declaration, she recounted the entire incident. She was four months pregnant when she was killed,” said Sharma.