"Calculated killing": Elderly man sentenced for wife's murder
A Thane court has sentenced 71-year-old Shobhnath Rajeshwar Shukla to life in prison for the murder of his bedridden wife, Sharada.
The court called the act "deliberate and calculated," emphasizing that Sharada was fully dependent on her husband after an accident.
She died at home in November 2019; a post-mortem found asphyxia as the cause of death, along with suspicious neck marks hidden with ointment.
Property dispute, caregiver frustration led to murder: Prosecution
The investigation revealed a family property dispute—Sharada wanted to transfer a room (built with her late first husband's money) to her youngest son, but Shukla opposed it.
Witnesses described Shukla's threats and frustration over caregiving.
Though his defense claimed Sharada had taken her own life, the court dismissed this since she was immobile.
The judge pointed to Shukla's threats, attempts to hide evidence, and behavior after the incident as reasons for his conviction under Indian law.