Agra man, family get death penalty for hacking wife, cousin
What's the story
A court in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a man and his family to death for the double murder of his wife and her cousin. The convicts are Gaurav, his father Madan, and brother Abhishek. They were also fined ₹1 lakh each. The case dates back to May 27, 2022 when Pooja was killed in the Etmadpur area of Agra by Gaurav over suspicions of an affair with her cousin Shivam Sisodia (31).
Incident details
Here's how the double murder unfolded
Shivam, who lived near Gaurav's relatives in Agra's Etmadpur area, often visited their home due to family ties. On the day of the incident, Shivam was visiting Pooja when Gaurav and his family confronted them. They were dragged outside and brutally attacked with sticks. When they fell to the ground, their throats were slit with a farsa (a sharp-edged weapon).
Legal proceedings
Key evidence that led to conviction of the accused
After the murders, Gaurav sat near Pooja's body and cried while his father and brother surrendered at the Etmad-ud-Daula police station. The police recovered the farsa used in the crime along with a blood-stained stick from a drain at the scene. Fourteen witnesses were presented in court, including Shivam's brother Abhishek, whose testimony was key to convicting Gaurav, Madan, and Abhishek.
Verdict reaction
Convicts plan to appeal against sentence in High Court
After hearing both sides, the court sentenced the trio to death. However, due to lack of evidence against her, the accused's mother was acquitted. Despite their conviction, the three convicts showed no emotion upon leaving the court premises. They announced plans to appeal the decision in the high court while expressing faith in the justice system.